One of the top quarterback prospects eligible for the 2022 draft, Carson Strong will be available in April. The Nevada quarterback will skip the Wolfpack’s bowl game and bypass his senior season to enter the draft (Twitter link).
Nevada’s starter for the past three seasons, Strong put up big numbers over his final two at the Mountain West program. The 6-foot-4 passer finished with 70.1 and 70.2% completion rates as a sophomore and junior, working with wideout Romeo Doubs to form one of college football’s top aerial connections.
Strong posted a 27-to-4 TD-INT ratio in 2020 and established career-high marks in touchdown passes (36) and yards (4,186) this season. Strong earned Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year acclaim in each of his final two seasons.
ESPN.com ranks Strong as its No. 6 quarterback in this upcoming class, slotting him behind Kenny Pickett (Pitt), Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati), Matt Corral (Ole Miss), Malik Willis (Liberty) and Sam Howell (North Carolina). This QB class has long lacked the reputation of those in recent years, but positional value dictates a few will go in Round 1. Strong could be in the mix for such a rise, or a Day 2 landing spot, depending on how he fares during the pre-draft process.
I like Strong, though I admittedly haven’t seen enough of Nevada’s games to determine whether he looks pro-ready. He seems like he could be a good value for a team who doesn’t quite trust the top QBs this year enough to spend a high pick on them. Jumping from the Mountain West defensively to the pros will be quite the task. He’s an interesting pick to me, at least.
Mountain West 4-0 in bowl games so far. 4 to go
Honestly, he makes me think of Mac Jones- big QB, good arm talent that’s a little stronger in the short game; but not the best athleticism. He’s not a stone behind Center, though.
If my team needed a QB, I’d rather see them draft this guy than some other names being tossed about as potential reaches.
Kenny Pickett has to be better than Mason Rudolph, I assume.
The panthers will let you know