Ohio State Football: Dwayne Haskins’ Pro Day better than Kyler Murray’s
Yesterday Ohio State football players attempted to impress NFL pro scouts and general manages. QB Dwayne Haskins certainly did.
Ohio State football players had one more opportunity before the draft to showcase their physical slills in front of NFL scouts and general managers at the Pro Day yesterday. Dwayne Haskins simply couldn’t have had a better workout and everybody had to come away impressed.
Quite frankly, Haskins’ performance at his Pro Day was far better than Kyler Murray’s.
That’s not a slight on the Oklahoma quarterback as he was simply intent on showing scouts he had the ability to throw from the pocket. His ball came out well and he hit his receivers which is what everybody wanted to see.
It’s just that Haskins proved he could make the throws needed for him to be successful in the NFL, and he displayed more agility than some thought he had.
Murray had to prove he could throw a nice ball and was making a lot of safe throws so the ball wouldn’t hit the ground. Some of passes, particularly throws to the left side, were slightly behind the receiver. Those are often deflections or picks in the NFL, or a defender will blow up a receiver after he touches the ball.
Haskins didn’t step on the field to just keep the ball off the ground, which he did for the most part. He hit his receivers on stride as well as making impressive back shoulder throws.
Commentators said they were impressed that he threw the ball where only his receiver could catch it, especially in red zone drills. As a former quarterback that stood out to me as well.
More from Ohio State Football
- Ohio State Football: How Denzel Burke has bounced back so far this season
- Ohio State Football rolling into form at the perfect time
- How Ohio State football has done historically versus new Big 12
- Ohio State Football: We need to see “Killer Ryan Day” at South Bend
- Ohio State Football vs. Notre Dame Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 4
Two of Haskins’ passes stood out. The first was on a rollout to his left when he hit a receiver in stride on a flag pattern, not an easy throw for a right-handed quarterback. Scouts had questions about his ability to throw outside of the pocket and Haskins gave them the answer.
The second was on one of his shortest passes. Haskins took some steam off the ball and hit a receiver in stride on a crossing route. Being effective at throwing catchable balls on short passes to receivers and backs can lead to a lot of success in the NFL.
Hall of Fame quarterbacks Joe Montana and Warren Moon will attest to that fact. And Tom Brady’s Super Bowl rings are proof as well.
That short throw may look easy but it’s not, especially for big armed quarterbacks like Haskins. Even the great John Elway had trouble throwing touch passes early in his career.
Next. With Martell eligible, college football free agency is here. dark
It was nice to see Dwayne Haskins have such a fine Pro Day. Even if the New York Giants aren’t interested in the Buckeye quarterback at the No. 6 pick, other teams may trade up to get him. I have a feeling that could be the situation after yesterday’s workout.