Top QB prospects for Washington in 2022 draft

3. Tier three quarterbacks

Quarterbacks taken on day three of the draft can be hidden gems or projects that need a lot of work.  Most of them will be career backups at best and out of the league within a year or two at worst.

Washington could add a project, but they need a franchise quarterback.

A. Bo Nix, Auburn – 6-3, 215

If Bo Nix was the quarterback for a better power five program, he would receive more attention and possibly be a tier-two player in today’s analysis.  There are times when he looks like a Heisman candidate and other days are complete flops.

B. Phil Jurkovec, Boston College – 6-5, 230 (U)

Phil Jurkovec has missed most of the season with an injury, but he returned recently and needs time to shake off the rust.  He should return for another season and improve his chances in the 2023 draft.  He has tier one potential.

C. Will Levis, Kentucky – 6-3, 230

Will Levis is a graduate student after a decent career at Penn State as a backup and part-time starter.  His improvement as a pocket passer this season helps his draft status and his skills as a rusher are better than most prospects.

D. Jake Haener, Fresno State – 6-1, 195

Jake Haener is an underrated quarterback for the Bulldogs, but his resume is impressive.  He nearly led FSU to an upset of Oregon and threw for 455 yards against UCLA in a huge upset.  He will need to put on 10 to 15 pounds of bulk and muscle for the NFL.

F. Remaining Quarterbacks

The following quarterbacks are likely late draft selections or UDFA additions next spring.  The undergraduates in this group should seriously consider returning to school or transferring to another NCAA school for at least another year.

• Tanner Mordecai, SMU – 6-3, 215
• Brock Purdy, Iowa State – 6-1 (U)
• Jayden Daniels, Arizona State – 6-3 (U)
• Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky – 6-1
• J.T. Daniels, Georgia – 6-1 (U)
• Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma – 6-1 (U)

The two players to focus on are Tanner Mordecai and Bailey Zappe.  Mordecai is in a very quarterback-friendly system (much like Taylor Heinicke at Old Dominion) and could be a late round pick or a priority UDFA.  Zappe is also in a quarterback friendly offense and is likely a late round choice or a priority UDFA.

Brock Purdy has improved marginally since his freshman year and should return to the Cyclones for another season.  The same holds true for Jayden Daniels and J.T. Daniels.  At the beginning of the 2021 season, Spencer Rattler was universally considered the top quarterback prospect in the nation.  He was benched recently for a true freshman and this Sooner will become a goner and transfer to another school for 2022.

The quarterbacks at the top of the 2022 class are not as deep as the 2021 class, but there is more late-round talent than a year ago.  The Nameless Football Team should be able to select one of the top two quarterbacks or be patient and select one of the top five prospects.

This list is likely to change between now and the draft, especially with the tier two and tier three quarterbacks.  Can Kenny Pickett, Carson Strong, and Sam Howell become tier-one in the coming weeks?  They have the potential to rise significantly.  Also, Bo Nix, Phil Jurkovec, Will Levis, and Brennan Armstrong could climb to tier two.

Who is your choice to be with Washington next year?  Should the Burgundy and Gold wait until 2023 to draft a quarterback?  Do you like the idea of drafting a quarterback early in the 2022 draft and another prospect in the late rounds?  Is there a prospect that you like and is not listed here?  The draft is just over five months away and the team here at Riggo’s Rag will cover it all for you.