what college QBs did you consider "can't miss" prospects over the years?

[Bryan]

The first time I heard a QB was a "can't miss" prospect was John Elway in 83. Since then, here are guys who I would put in that category:

Troy Aikman
Peyton Manning
Carson Palmer
Andrew Luck
Trevor Lawrence
Caleb Williams

[sluggermatt15]

Joe Burrow
Ben Roethlisberger
Bert Jones
Joe Namath
Bart Starr

[JameisBrownston]

Ben?! He didn't even go #1, Eli did.

By that standard, I could include Lamar Jackson, who I considered a can't-miss prospect.

Burrow is also a slightly different case, although I'd put him in the category nonetheless. Did any of these guys even win a Heisman until him? It was usually scouts gushing over their potential. He, on the other hand, forced them to gush over him by having a passer rating of 143.7. There was a palpable reluctance, not because he was any less of a prospect (he might turn out better than all but Peyton), but because the draft cognoscenti want to be seen as thinking for themselves and do not take well to being railroaded like that by a guy who probably would've gone undrafted as a junior.

[Reaser]

"Can't miss" goes further back than college, more begins or starts in high school: #1 QB recruit, HS All-American and/or even though it's been flawed a lot of years, Elite 11 MVP. To where once they start college tis known years in advance whether they come out after 3 or 4 years, they're the clear #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Had to pick up some college honors along the way to keep the "can't miss" label, I figure, Heisman/finalist/in the convo at some point, All-America, Walter Camp Award, Archie Griffin Award, Johnny U Golden Arm, Sammy Baugh Trophy, Kellen Moore Award, Manning Award, or at least some All-Conference honors, etc..

That's also how you end up with a Jeff George ...

... but that's not the thread title, I suppose. More personal opinion than who was labeled "can't miss."

[JuggernautJ]

I went to the Shriners' East West Game following the 2002 season and was surprised to see all of the defenses lined up with every player inside the hash marks... except for against one QB: Ken Dorsey (he was the only quarterback who could throw all the way to the sidelines).
After his play in that game I was convinced he would be a star (or at least a starter) in the NFL.
I was very glad to see the 49ers drafted him but he never became a star (and only started a few games).

Shows you what a great evaluator of talent I am...

https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/ ... 624304007/

[JameisBrownston]

"Can't miss" goes further back than college, more begins or starts in high school: #1 QB recruit, HS All-American and/or even though it's been flawed a lot of years, Elite 11 MVP. To where once they start college tis known years in advance whether they come out after 3 or 4 years, they're the clear #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Had to pick up some college honors along the way to keep the "can't miss" label, I figure, Heisman/finalist/in the convo at some point, All-America, Walter Camp Award, Archie Griffin Award, Johnny U Golden Arm, Sammy Baugh Trophy, Kellen Moore Award, Manning Award, or at least some All-Conference honors, etc..

That's also how you end up with a Jeff George ...

... but that's not the thread title, I suppose. More personal opinion than who was labeled "can't miss."

Arch Manning is the most of this there's ever been. He just made a logically indefensible choice of college. I wonder if the lack of playing time will end up knocking him out of #1.

[Ronfitch]

Joe Burrow
Ben Roethlisberger
Bert Jones
Joe Namath
Bart Starr

Starr? After starting as a sophomore, he missed his junior year (injury, 60 years later revealed to be the result of a beating he took as part of an hazing into the Alabama lettermen’s A-Club.) and spent his senior season "relegated to mop-up duty as a senior when the Crimson Tide was winless in 10 games."

https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/st ... 245715001/

https://www.al.com/sports/2016/02/nfl_l ... _vict.html

[Brian wolf]

Ryan Leaf
Heath Shuler
Greg Cook
JaMarcus Russell
Matt Leinert
Tim Couch
Johnny Manziel

OUCH! ... Though Cook had a terrible injury

[JameisBrownston]

Ryan Leaf
Heath Shuler
Greg Cook
JaMarcus Russell
Matt Leinert
Tim Couch
Johnny Manziel

OUCH! ... Though Cook had a terrible injury

I never understood what was so bad about Tim Couch that he didn't at least stick around for a long time as a backup. Was this really an era where a reliable 75 PR was completely untenable? Honestly, he should've gotten another chance on a team besides the Browns like Baker did.

[Brian wolf]

Couch was overrated similar to Levis coming out of college. David Carr took a beating in Houston but didnt seem to fight for another starting job anywhere else. Rode the bench too easily, I felt.

Remember Paxton Lynch? Could his career had been different had Dallas drafted him?