By Brandon Pemberton

The 2015 College Football is season is right around the corner, and I will continue to give you my detailed scouting reports on some of college football’s top NFL prospects at every position. Today I focus on Michigan State Senior QB Connor Cook.

Connor Cook QB rSr, Michigan St. 6’4 220 lbs

Career Stats: 30 Games(27 Starts) 444-762 58% 47 TD 15 INT

Strengths: Connor Cook is heading into his third season as the starting QB for the Spartans, in their pro style offense. He has the prototype build for a pocket passer, 6’4  and weighs about 220 pounds.

Cook doesn’t possess elite arm strength, but he has more then enough to make all of the throws asked of him. Because of the pro style offense they run at Michigan State, he probably has the most experience taking snaps from under center and utilizing three, five, and seven step drops. He has experience throwing passes using the entire route tree. Cook is the best play action passer that I’ve watched on film in years, he really sells the ball fake, is willing to turn his back to the defense, and then locates the open receiver, hitting him with an accurate strike.

Cook has a strong, accurate arm, and throws a ball that’s really easy to catch. He throws it with a nice tight spiral, with touch, he knows when to zip it in there and when to take something off of it. His ability to throw the football with anticipation, in windows, with accuracy is very good. He shows the ability to make the tight window throws that we see NFL Quarterbacks make on a regular basis on Sunday’s. Cook is the best deep ball passer in college football, he puts the proper amount of air on the pass, dropping it right in his receiver’s hands, not forcing them to break stride.

Cook recognizes the blitz well, stands tall in the pocket and hits the hot wide receiver on a regular basis. He knows how to make pre-snap reads, change protection or change the play to one that will be more successful versus the defense he sees. He has very good pocket mobility and flashes the ability to scramble right or left, throwing the football accurately.

 

Weaknesses: Connor Cook at times will be indecisive with the football, holding onto it too long, forcing late throws over the middle, taking sacks, giving up bonehead turnovers. I think the next step in his development is learning to let plays go, throw the football away, not taking unneeded hits and living for the next play. I also think adding another 10-15 good pounds to his frame would be good for him as well.

Overview: Connor Cook is the clear cut number one NFL Prospect at the Quarterback position heading into the 2015 College Football Season. I gave him a first round grade, and with more improvement as a senior, he could end up being a top ten pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.