FanPost

Andrew Luck player profile

I will let you know in the title when it is a possible target for the Steelers. Even players I don't think we will target, I will post on here as well as MTD.

I am going to be posting 2012 NFL prospect player profiles throughout the next 11 and change months. Right now expect maybe 1 to 3 per week but once we get into draft season next year the reports will become more rapid. Hopefully I can make about 200 of these by the time the 2012 NFL draft comes. The first one is on Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 235

Star-divide

Everybody knows who Andrew Luck is by now. He would have been a lock for the #1 pick in the draft had he decided to enter the 2011 NFL draft. However, he decided to turn down the Panthers and the 75 million dollar contract to go back to Stanford and earn a degree while developing his skills a little more. As a freshman, Andrew was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman team by multiple people. He became the 1st freshman quarterback to start the season-opening game at Stanford since 2002. He set a school passing record with 2,575 yards and an injury was the only thing that stopped him from entering the top 10 in Stanford history for single season passing yards. He threw 13 TD's compared to just 4 INT's and led the conference with a 143.5 passing efficiency. He was also a first team all Pac-10 academic selection. Luck entered his sophomore season with huge expectations and lets just say he lived up to them. He led Stanford to their best season ever, finishing 11-1 and ranked 5 in the nation. He was a finalist for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback and Maxwell Award. In the last 7 games of the season he completed 152-201 passes good for 75.6%. For the season, he completed 245-349 passes for 3,051 yards and 28 touchdowns while completing 70.2 percent of his passes. He already ranks seventh in all time passing yards at Stanford, despite playing in only 24 games so far. He is almost guaranteed to be the #1 pick in the draft next season.

Projected Draft Status: Top 1 pick

Luck is almost a lock to be the #1 pick (as stated above). The only way I see him falling is a major injury (like possibly keeping him out of his rookie season) or an absolutely horrible year.

Other Potential 1st round Quarterbacks

Matt Barkley (USC)...Landry Jones (Oklahoma)...Nick Foles (Arizona)

  • Barkley and Jones could both push Luck for the #1 pick but it would take a spectacular season by one of them and a poor season from Luck. However, it is possible that Luck, Barkley, and Jones go in the top 5 to top 10. Foles could be a mid to late first rounder with a strong season.

Career Stats

5913 yds, 45 TD's, 12 Int's, 64.4 comp %, 8.96 YPA, 156.9 QB Rating

Video Highlights

Highlight #1: Andrew Luck destroys Shareece Wright: Off a fumble by a Stanford back, Luck makes a TD saving tackle.

Highlight #2: Stanford vs. USC (2009): Luck started off very shaky, throwing three straight incomplete passes but then he starts to get rolling. Over 6 minutes long, it shows every pass he throws in this game.

Highlight #3: Stanford vs. Virginia Tech (2010 Orange Bowl): Shows every throw Luck throws in this game. This was an incredible performance by Andrew.

Highlight #4: Stanford vs. Wake Forest (2009): Shows every throw Luck makes vs. a weak WF team.

Luck's Strengths (in buzzwords):

  • Good size and mobility
  • Great arm strength
  • Great accuracy
  • Clean release and good mechanics
  • Two years experience in a pro style offense
  • Very good intangibles
  • I could go on and on but will limit it to these very basic strengths

Luck's Weaknesses (in buzzwords):

  • Not the best poise in the pocket
  • Off of play-actions, he panics sometimes and resorts to scrambling to fast if his 1st/2nd read is not open
  • Throws off balance on occasion and does not always set his feet
  • Deep balls (over 40 yards) leave a lot to be desired

Final Thoughts:

  • Luck has all the tools to be a top 5 QB in the NFL, however it is far from a lock. Those 4 weaknesses could limit him to a top 10 or top 15 QB. However, I think with his work ethic and smartness, he will eventually overcome those weaknesses and turn them into strengths.
  • It would take a lot for him to not be the #1 pick next year. I think it would take a horrible season (even worse than Locker's 2010 season) and a great season from either Matt Kalil, Jonathan Martin, Matt Barkley, Landry Jones, or Alshon Jeffery.
  • Luck is a perfect team-mate and definitely has the intelligence of Peyton Manning. That smartness will give him a big advantage when he comes to the league
  • I believe that Luck will go through some growing pains in his rookie season in the NFL but by mid-season he will show that potential. By year 2 or 3 he could become the elite QB we all think he can become.
  • Whoever gets him is really lucky.



The opinions shared here are not those of the editorial staff of Behind the Steel Curtain or SB Nation. These posts are not approved in any way by the editorial staff of this web site.