A.J. McCarron, Senior, Quarterback, Alabama
Overview:
A.J. McCarron does not have the powerful rocket arm. He does not have the quickness and burst from the quarterback position that some of his peers possess. He is not a scrambler nor someone who is thought of as a playmaker. McCarron is a winner and a great football player though. In three years starting behind center, he has a record of 24-2 and an otherworldly 49 to 8 touchdown to interception ratio. For some comparison, Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel has already thrown more interceptions than that in just his one season playing. Many critics will dismiss McCarron's numbers and wins because of the team he plays on. He is just managing the game they say. It is hard to dispute this point when the guy does not have the athletic gifts that jump out at you. However, he has NFL height, intelligence and poise: three things that cannot be taught on the fly.
Final Projection:
There are flashier quarterback prospects in his own conference. There are better NFL players on his own team and in his own backfield. However, A.J. McCarron will find a job at the professional level. His career numbers are outstanding and he has proven himself capable of winning games late: something not often asked of a pure game manager. Although a first day selection is unlikely, McCarron could work himself into the conversation of that second tier of quarterback prospects with Logan Thomas, Aaron Murray, Tajh Boyd, etc. if he works his magic as a senior.
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