The discussion about whether the Cardinals should look for their quarterback of the future with the seventh pick in the draft has been muted by the consensus that there really is no franchise quarterback available this year. Players such as Geno Smith and Ryan Nassib simply aren't seen as being in the same class as Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, et al.
But the story might be different -- at least according to one quarterbacking expert -- if local kid Brett Hundley were just one year older. David Clarkson, a renowned quarterback tutor, said in an exclusive interview over the weekend that he believes Hundley, a redshirt sophomore this year who went to Chandler High School before heading off to UCLA, would be the "top pick" in this year's draft if he were eligible.
Here's the rest of what Clarkson had to say, as transcribed by FOXSports.com's Ross Jones:
The NFL Draft is just days away, and while many experts have negative things to say about this year’s crop of quarterbacks, one will probably end up being selected in the first 10 picks.
Whoever that player is (Geno Smith?) better thank his lucky stars, because one famed quarterback coach says if UCLA’s Brett Hundley were eligible, he’d be the cream of this year’s class.
“I think he’d be the top pick in (this year’s) draft,” famed QB guru Steve Clarkson told FOXSports.com in an exclusive interview over the weekend.
Hundley had one of the more memorable seasons in school history, leading the Bruins to a 9-5 record, a win over USC and a berth in the Holiday Bowl. Although the quarterback is only a redshirt sophomore this year, at the end of the season he will have been out of high school for three years, making him eligible for the 2014 NFL Draft.
“I love Brett Hundley because he is a big, physical specimen that is an accomplished passer even at a young age and was very dominant in high school. What he did at UCLA was outstanding,” Clarkson said.
“He has every element you want in a quarterback in terms of size, strength, ability to throw on the move, ability to stay in the pocket, traditional progression reads. He’s got the total package.”
Clarkson has worked with the likes of Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Barkley, Josh Freeman and Matt Leinart.
