are some kind of impressive
Sometimes when a draft pick hasn’t played much his first two seasons, it’s a good thing to back and be reminded of the player’s college accomplishments.
Today I was looking for Clayton Tune’s NFL player comps coming into the 2023 NFL Draft.
Two that I found were:
- Lindy’s Pro Football: Kirk Cousins
- NFL Draft Buzz: Brock Purdy
Then, I clicked on Clayton’s college PFF evals, and while I could not find a player comp, I was pleasantly reminded of how well Clayton Tune graded over his last 3 years at the University of Houston.
Clayton Tune’s Overall Grades and Yearly Stats:
- Clayton Tune: 2022 —- 92.0
- Bryce Young 2022 —- 91.5
- C,J, Stroud 2022 —- 89.1
Clayton Tune’s Passing Grades and Advanced Stats:
Blue chip passing grades in every category.
Clayton Tune’s Game Grades:
A model of consistency, game in and game out. Thise are excellent grades.
For comparisons:
Bryce Young:
C.J Stroud:
After Clayton Tune was drafted by the Cardinals in Round 5 at pick #139, he said in an interview with Arizona Republic’s Bob McManaman, “I think I’m the best quarterback in this class and God’s got a plan for me,” Tune said. “If you look at my body of work, the effect that I have on my team that I play on, I elevate everyone around me. I’m a natural leader, people follow me and see the work that I’m putting in and the mindset that I have, and they want to follow suit. I have that no-flinch mentality when things get going tough. Those are some of the intangible things and then being able to make every throw on the field, being able to make plays off schedule and being more mobile than people realize.”
Based on PFF draft passer evaluations and statistical data Clayton Tune has a good, legitimate point. What he needs is a fair chance to play.
Plus, how about —-
Career rushing yards and TDs:
- Tune —- 1,251 yards, 15 TDs
- Stroud —- 136 yards, 1 TD
- Young —- 126 yards, 7 TDs
One can argue that Bruce Young and C.J. Stroud faced stronger competition in the SEC and Big Ten respectively. That’s correct. No question about it.
However, Young and Stroud were surrounded by 5-star blue chip talents, whereas Tune accomplished the high quality of his play while surrounded by players who were not getting offers from Power 5 schools.
Passing Bill Parcell’s Rule for Drafting QBs: (per Google)
Bill Parcells, a former NFL coach, had a set of rules for drafting college quarterbacks. His rules were .
Parcells’ rules
- Be a three-year starter
- Be a senior in college
- Graduate from college
- Start 30 games
- Win 23 games
- Post a 2-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio
- Complete at least 60% of passes thrown
While some college QBs had faster and successful tracks to the NFL, Bill Parcells’ QB rules generally have a good deal of merit. Take the last 4 years of Super Bowl QBs:
- Matthew Stafford checks every box except staying for his senior year at Georgia and graduating.
- Joe Burrow checks every box.
- Patrick Mahomes checks every box except staying for his senior year and graduating.
- Brock Purdy checks every box.
- Jalen Hurts checks every box.
I admire the fact that Clayton Tune checks every one of Parcells’ criteria. I think his experience and years of success will serve him well, if and when he gets his chance.