Thanks in part to the partnership with Pro Football Network and the East-West Shrine Bowl, readers can now go beyond the games on Saturdays and obtain a virtual look at the scouting process for the 2023 NFL Draft.
For some, the draft takes place in April. For those initiated, the 2023 NFL Draft has already begun with preparation, film study, analysis, and now live looks at some of the top players as Week 0 has come and gone.
Below are observations and analysis directly from Shrine Bowl Director Eric Galko from the previous week of action.
A scout’s eye: 2023 NFL Draft quarterbacks
Eric Galko: It may have been Week 0, but there were still quarterbacks that the East-West Shrine Bowl were watching closely as the college football season began. Only a handful of the quarterbacks playing in Week 0 were all-star-game eligible, but a pair of new transfers — Austin Reed and Tommy DeVito — showed some new traits.
At the same time, experienced passers Logan Bonner and Jordan Travis displayed much of what already makes them intriguing quarterbacks at the next level.
While the Shrine Bowl is a long way away from selecting the quarterbacks to be in Las Vegas, senior-season film can make a huge difference, and for these four QBs, they’ve started their final-season campaign on the right foot.
Austin Reed, Western Kentucky
The former D2 national champion, Austin Reed has plenty to prove this year at Western
Kentucky, both because of the large shoes to fill left by Bailey Zappe and the questions NFL
teams will have about his ability to adapt to the FBS level, not to mention the eventual NFL
level.
Reed struggled at the start against Austin Peay, missing open receivers on multiple occasions, both in pressure and in unphased throwing windows. But by the second half, Reed settled into a composed passer who was able to finish drives in scoring position.
Reed needs to build on his game and showcase substantially more creativity as a pocket maneuver and finisher as a mid-field and vertical passer. But he led an offense that certainly has room to improve as the year goes on.
Logan Bonner, Utah State
Logan Bonner is a highly experienced QB, having now thrown passes in six different CFB seasons for his career. Bonner, as expected, was remarkably sharp in this one. After a slow start thanks to a UConn defense whose talent may have caught the Aggies off guard a bit, Bonner rallied three touchdown drives, including two late, in the first half to take the lead and never let his team give it up.
While they were largely led by an impressive ground game, Bonner’s placement on the perimeter, in the red zone (including one great fade pass to Justin McGriff), and outstanding feel for timing and patience is what’ll keep him in the minds of NFL teams, especially if he can show this same efficiency next week against Alabama.
Jordan Travis, Florida State
Jordan Travis didn’t need to do a whole lot against Duquesne to lead his team to victory, but he put plenty on film to get scouts excited for his potential development this year. Travis’ body type, arm talent, and adjustments as a passer already stand out, but it was his downfield accuracy that stood out the most in the win.
Travis will have plenty of chances this year to show growth as an in-pocket downfield passer and improvising finisher under pressure. But winning with placement and timing to start the year was great to see, as his growth as a passer this year will be closely monitored.
Tommy DeVito, Syracuse
While his teammate RB Chase Brown was the featured performer of the Illinois offense, Tommy DeVito was a reliable, accurate, and composed passer in the Illini’s blowout victory. DeVito wasn’t asked to attack vertically (only had a handful of throws beyond 15 yards), but he was extremely accurate in the short area, especially on the perimeter and in the quick game.
DeVito is a plus athlete and has plenty of athletic weapons around him. With the amount of
versatile talent and top-end speed in the Illinois offense, DeVito simply needs to be a successful game manager and accurate short/mid-field thrower to win games and further be on the NFL radar.
