Alexis Chassen
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Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett’s 2018 NFL Combine results and draft projection
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Will the most decorated Buckeye QB ever make it as more than a back-up in the NFL? (Hint: Probably not, but maybe.)
Well, well, well. One of the more polarizing players to don the scarlet and gray is now taking the next step in becoming an NFL quarterback. Despite his up-and-down career with the Buckeyes, three-time captain J.T. Barrett is one of the most decorated quarterbacks in Ohio State and Big Ten history. He broke 39 records during his time in Columbus, and is now setting his sights on playing pro ball.
As the only three-time captain in Ohio State football history, Barrett’s leadership skills have never been in question. The locker room was behind him since Day 1, and he didn’t let the quarterback competition between Cardale Jones in 2015 affect how he led the team or performed when called upon. His level-headed approach saved the Buckeyes countless times from getting too far behind.
Barrett is also the only Ohio State quarterback to have ever beat rival Michigan (as the starter) four times. The QB totaled 44 starts during his collegiate career, and set a school record with 38 victories among them. He was named Big Ten Quarterback of the Year three times and set conference records for career total offensive yards (12,697) — besting Drew Brees’ prior record —, touchdown passes (104), and touchdowns responsible for (147) — among others.
There’s no doubt that he set a new standard among the Big Ten conference, but he also set an incredibly high bar for the future QBs at Ohio State, setting 35 school records. (Seriously, there are way too many to list, but they are all equally impressive.)
He may live on as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play for Ohio State, but there are plenty of Buckeye fans out there who will tell you it isn’t all about the numbers.
His career began by setting out-of-this-world expectations during the 2014 season; J.T. Barrett quickly filled the shoes of the injured incumbent Braxton Miller, and showed that he too could be dynamic both on the ground and in the air. When he went down during the regular-season finale against Michigan, he was still assumed to be the starter once he rehabbed ahead of the 2015 season.
But then Cardale Jones led Ohio State to a 59-0 win over Wisconsin for the Big Ten title, and then bested Alabama and Oregon on the way to winning the first-ever College Football Playoff.
Barrett and Jones would spend the offseason competing for the No. 1 job, but Meyer and co. messed up royally by keeping them in competition throughout the 2015 season — with Barrett usually playing second-fiddle until Jones threw an interception.
Barrett took the reigns back full-time in 2016, but, with a new team chemistry and very young receivers, he struggled in the passing game for much of the year. He was still a formidable rusher though, and calling a Barrett tuck-and-run play was eventually the new norm. He continued to improve through the offseason ahead of his senior campaign, and came into 2017 with a new air of confidence.
The receivers now had a year under their belt and were trusted more often by Barrett to make contested catches (or at least draw pass interference), which they usually did. But every now and again Barrett would throw the ball so off-target that it would make people wonder how he earned a scholarship in the first place.
Consistency has been a recurring issue for the Buckeye quarterback, but if you look at his full body of work, there’s no one that comes close to his production. Whether or not that translates to the NFL is yet to be seen -- although, some draft-niks are already throwing around some pretty big opinions about Barrett’s potential.
Mayock says JT Barrett has everything you want in NFL QB but high-level talent. Thinks he gets drafted late 3rd day, is ideal backup for a long time.
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) February 26, 2018
Look, Mike Mayock may be the end-all and be-all of NFL Draft analysis, but sometimes he goes a little off-base. I don’t disagree with his analysis of Barrett, but at the same time: dayummmm, he really said it. Being an NFL back-up QB is not the end of the world, especially considering some of the successful NFL quarterbacks this season: Case Keenum, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Super Bowl Winner and freaking S.B. M.V.P. Nick Foles, even all paid their dues as backups.
My prediction is that Barrett ends up among the coaching ranks, sooner rather than later, but he’ll without a doubt get a shot to make it in the NFL. Where that shot comes from, and how long he’ll be able to capitalize on it, are the bigger questions heading into the NFL Combine.
Scouting Report
Here’s what the pros are saying in his NFL Combine Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS: Outstanding leader. Teammates love him and he handled the rotation quarterback issue with maturity in 2016. Runs to his size and has determination on short yardage and in red area when running. Good decision maker in zone read. Throws with touch to the perimeter and will change speeds to make his throws more catchable. Pocket mobility has improved over time. Willing to stand in and take the hit in order to deliver the throw. Leg strength allows him to fight through sack attempts and keep a play alive. Does a good job of looking safeties off of his deep sideline targets. Recognizes when cornerbacks are looking to bait him. Wants to win from pocket and will try and sit in the pocket rather than bolting too quickly.
WEAKNESSES: Operation time and ball handling are a little slow. Not a naturally accurate passer. Makes receivers work too hard. Ball placement can be a struggle even on swing passes and short throws. Completed a measly 28 percent of his throws over 21 yards this season. Seam curls come wide open and he will opt for safe throws in middle of the field. Misses opportunities to challenge safeties. Gets it out a step late on intermediate and deep throws. Halts progressions early rather than allowing route development. Three-quarter release makes him short in the pocket and allows defenders to maul his pass attempts. Release and arm strength are below average. Allows rushers to get on top of him.
Player schedule
Stay tuned to Land-Grant Holy Land for performance and quote updates throughout the NFL Scouting Combine.
Continue reading...
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Will the most decorated Buckeye QB ever make it as more than a back-up in the NFL? (Hint: Probably not, but maybe.)
Well, well, well. One of the more polarizing players to don the scarlet and gray is now taking the next step in becoming an NFL quarterback. Despite his up-and-down career with the Buckeyes, three-time captain J.T. Barrett is one of the most decorated quarterbacks in Ohio State and Big Ten history. He broke 39 records during his time in Columbus, and is now setting his sights on playing pro ball.
As the only three-time captain in Ohio State football history, Barrett’s leadership skills have never been in question. The locker room was behind him since Day 1, and he didn’t let the quarterback competition between Cardale Jones in 2015 affect how he led the team or performed when called upon. His level-headed approach saved the Buckeyes countless times from getting too far behind.
Barrett is also the only Ohio State quarterback to have ever beat rival Michigan (as the starter) four times. The QB totaled 44 starts during his collegiate career, and set a school record with 38 victories among them. He was named Big Ten Quarterback of the Year three times and set conference records for career total offensive yards (12,697) — besting Drew Brees’ prior record —, touchdown passes (104), and touchdowns responsible for (147) — among others.
There’s no doubt that he set a new standard among the Big Ten conference, but he also set an incredibly high bar for the future QBs at Ohio State, setting 35 school records. (Seriously, there are way too many to list, but they are all equally impressive.)
He may live on as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play for Ohio State, but there are plenty of Buckeye fans out there who will tell you it isn’t all about the numbers.
His career began by setting out-of-this-world expectations during the 2014 season; J.T. Barrett quickly filled the shoes of the injured incumbent Braxton Miller, and showed that he too could be dynamic both on the ground and in the air. When he went down during the regular-season finale against Michigan, he was still assumed to be the starter once he rehabbed ahead of the 2015 season.
But then Cardale Jones led Ohio State to a 59-0 win over Wisconsin for the Big Ten title, and then bested Alabama and Oregon on the way to winning the first-ever College Football Playoff.
Barrett and Jones would spend the offseason competing for the No. 1 job, but Meyer and co. messed up royally by keeping them in competition throughout the 2015 season — with Barrett usually playing second-fiddle until Jones threw an interception.
Barrett took the reigns back full-time in 2016, but, with a new team chemistry and very young receivers, he struggled in the passing game for much of the year. He was still a formidable rusher though, and calling a Barrett tuck-and-run play was eventually the new norm. He continued to improve through the offseason ahead of his senior campaign, and came into 2017 with a new air of confidence.
The receivers now had a year under their belt and were trusted more often by Barrett to make contested catches (or at least draw pass interference), which they usually did. But every now and again Barrett would throw the ball so off-target that it would make people wonder how he earned a scholarship in the first place.
Consistency has been a recurring issue for the Buckeye quarterback, but if you look at his full body of work, there’s no one that comes close to his production. Whether or not that translates to the NFL is yet to be seen -- although, some draft-niks are already throwing around some pretty big opinions about Barrett’s potential.
Mayock says JT Barrett has everything you want in NFL QB but high-level talent. Thinks he gets drafted late 3rd day, is ideal backup for a long time.
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) February 26, 2018
Look, Mike Mayock may be the end-all and be-all of NFL Draft analysis, but sometimes he goes a little off-base. I don’t disagree with his analysis of Barrett, but at the same time: dayummmm, he really said it. Being an NFL back-up QB is not the end of the world, especially considering some of the successful NFL quarterbacks this season: Case Keenum, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Super Bowl Winner and freaking S.B. M.V.P. Nick Foles, even all paid their dues as backups.
My prediction is that Barrett ends up among the coaching ranks, sooner rather than later, but he’ll without a doubt get a shot to make it in the NFL. Where that shot comes from, and how long he’ll be able to capitalize on it, are the bigger questions heading into the NFL Combine.
Scouting Report
Here’s what the pros are saying in his NFL Combine Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS: Outstanding leader. Teammates love him and he handled the rotation quarterback issue with maturity in 2016. Runs to his size and has determination on short yardage and in red area when running. Good decision maker in zone read. Throws with touch to the perimeter and will change speeds to make his throws more catchable. Pocket mobility has improved over time. Willing to stand in and take the hit in order to deliver the throw. Leg strength allows him to fight through sack attempts and keep a play alive. Does a good job of looking safeties off of his deep sideline targets. Recognizes when cornerbacks are looking to bait him. Wants to win from pocket and will try and sit in the pocket rather than bolting too quickly.
WEAKNESSES: Operation time and ball handling are a little slow. Not a naturally accurate passer. Makes receivers work too hard. Ball placement can be a struggle even on swing passes and short throws. Completed a measly 28 percent of his throws over 21 yards this season. Seam curls come wide open and he will opt for safe throws in middle of the field. Misses opportunities to challenge safeties. Gets it out a step late on intermediate and deep throws. Halts progressions early rather than allowing route development. Three-quarter release makes him short in the pocket and allows defenders to maul his pass attempts. Release and arm strength are below average. Allows rushers to get on top of him.
- Day 1 (Wednesday, Feb. 28): Travel, registration, hospital pre-exam, orientation, interviews
- Day 2 (Thursday, Mar. 1): Measurements, medical exams, interviews
- Day 3 (Friday, Mar. 2): Psychological testing, NFLPA meeting, media, bench press
- Day 4 (Saturday, Mar. 3): On-field workout and position drills
Stay tuned to Land-Grant Holy Land for performance and quote updates throughout the NFL Scouting Combine.
Continue reading...