Once again we are visiting the quarterback position. The 49ers will most likely be looking real deeply at every single quarterback coming out in this class. It's not to say that this player will be the quarterback of the future but at the very least, the 49ers need to explore all viable options.
Some players don't blossom until they reach the next level. Some of them may be good enough to get there initially, but later fizzle out. Others are good enough to get there but don't actually reach their potential for a few years after (See: Steve Young).
The point of the matter is this, sometimes players take longer to develop than others. And sometimes it just takes some really solid mentoring for certain guys to reach their peaks. Not every player has this ability; it takes a rare player to meet the criteria.
With that, let's take a look at University of Washington's former quarterback, Jake Locker...
There's nearly 15 minutes of video here on Jake Locker. Initially, it appears like we're looking at the highlight reel of a running back. However, if you can get past the first few minutes, it begins to showcase what he is bringing as a true quarterback.
One thing you notice here on Locker's throws is that his footwork is not very good at all. Anyone who watched the Senior Bowl would have heard all the knocks on that as well. But when the combine came around, Locker seemed to be an entirely new player. It was very apparent that he had worked diligently on that footwork.
So the bottom line question is, will Jake Locker be one of those players that finds great mentoring at the next level and watch as his career takes flight. Or will he just be another glorified college quarterback that was swallowed up prematurely by the good ol' hype machine?
Here are his stats:
Stats Overview
Passing
YEAR
CMP
ATT
YDS
CMP%
YPA
LNG
TD
INT
SACK
RAT
2007
155
328
2062
47.3
6.29
98
14
15
17
105.01
2008
50
93
512
53.8
5.51
48
1
0
10
103.55
2009
230
395
2800
58.2
7.09
51
21
11
28
129.75
2010
184
332
2265
55.4
6.82
80
17
9
19
124.20
2010 Regular Season Game Log
Passing
Rushing
DATE
OPP
RESULT
CMP
ATT
YDS
CMP%
LNG
TD
INT
RAT
ATT
YDS
AVG
LNG
TD
9/4
@Brigham Young
L 23-17
20
37
266
54.1
43
1
0
123.36
11
29
2.6
9
1
9/11
Syracuse
W 41-20
22
33
289
66.7
57
4
0
180.23
5
12
2.4
8
0
9/18
Nebraska
L 56-21
4
20
71
20.0
45
1
2
46.32
11
59
5.4
33
1
10/2
@USC
W 32-31
24
40
310
60.0
44
1
0
133.35
12
110
9.2
54
0
10/9
Arizona State
L 24-14
23
38
209
60.5
22
1
1
110.15
11
6
0.5
14
1
10/16
Oregon State
W 35-34
21
35
286
60.0
45
5
1
170.07
12
60
5.0
17
0
10/23
@Arizona
L 44-14
17
29
183
58.6
43
1
0
123.00
6
-24
-4.0
6
0
10/30
Stanford
L 41-0
7
14
64
50.0
19
0
2
59.82
8
1
0.1
8
0
11/6
@Oregon
L 53-16
Did Not Play or did not accumulate any stats.
11/18
UCLA
W 24-7
10
21
68
47.6
22
0
1
65.29
4
9
2.3
11
1
11/27
@California
W 16-13
17
27
237
63.0
80
1
1
141.51
12
11
0.9
11
0
12/4
@Washington State
W 35-28
14
22
226
63.6
66
2
1
170.84
9
29
3.2
10
1
2010 Postseason Game Log
Passing
Rushing
BOWL
OPP
RESULT
CMP
ATT
YDS
CMP%
LNG
TD
INT
RAT
ATT
YDS
AVG
LNG
TD
BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION HOLIDAY BOWL
Nebraska
W 19-7
5
16
56
31.3
26
0
0
60.65
13
83
6.4
25
1
Summary: I believe that given the right situation that Jake Locker can have success as an NFL quarterback. At the very least, I think it's real possible that he earns his bread and butter as a career back up for a bunch of years. At this point, it's real tough to gauge if, or if not Locker would be able to make the jump in to a starting role by day one. In fact, from what I have observed over the years on him, it's quite likely that he would not be ready to go right away. However, I have been wrong before. With the major improvement on his footwork and subsequent accuracy so quickly, anything is possible.
PREDICTION: Late 1st Round - Early to mis 2nd Round.