I think KW is a great case study because it gets to what you need to consider in evaluating QB prospects.
People love the tools and measurables. Size, speed, arm strength (hard to improve a lot). They next focus on mechanics and accuracy (somewhat fixable). Then game results. Then leadership traits.
Not that there is anything wrong with that, but the real threshold question for a QB, IMO, is how his mind reacts to pressure, fear and chaos. You can have everything going for you, but if your mind shuts in and you panic under pressure, you cannot be a good QB. You either make bad decisions throwing or bail too early or take sacks too often. Conversely, someone who is calm under these pressure situations, they can be a great QB even without all the ideal tools.
I don’t think you can expect to change someone’s cognitive and subconscious processes. So you have to have a view on this. Obviously, the kid has to also be above the bar on abilities. But without decisionmaking, it won‘t work. (This doesn’t mean IQ, either, though that is relevant to reading defenses.)
This is testable, also, though football in general and UM in particular aren’t advanced in this area. Some schools have used technology to assess decision-making for QBs. The military simulates some of these dynamics. You can measure adrenaline and panic responses.
In any case, we need to do more than look for physical abilities.
@LuCane
QB Donavon Mcmulley just committed to Indiana
