Hail Casares wrote:Just looked up Mike Elkins. He played in one game and threw two career passes for 5 yards and an interception.
I remember in the Prolog magazine issued after the 1987 season, they had a big article profiling all of the different college QBs that would be available in the next two years...comparing those classes to the 1983 QB class. Troy Aikman was the clear stud, but they had high hopes for about 12 other guys. Its interesting looking back and realizing how inexact/ridiculous NFL scouting was, because through YouTube you can actually watch these guys in college. I'm trying to remember some of guys they profiled:
Rodney Peete - ended up having a decent NFL career as a backup, was the clear #2 behind Aikman
Mike Elkins - don't know why he was drafted so high...was kind of like Chase Daniel if Daniel had an average NCAA career at Wake Forest
Terrance Jones - dual threat at Tulane, drafted but went to the CFL and flamed out
Todd Ellis - saw footage of him on YouTube. I'm about the same size as Ellis, and he was terrible in the games I saw. Started for awhile at South Carolina. Don't think he played in the NFL.
Tommy Hodson - remember him well at LSU. Similar to Ellis, the guy had a weak arm and not much athleticism. I remember a scout being quoted "Hodson might be the best QB LSU ever produced, and I am including YA Tittle and Bert Jones." Hodson was nowhere near those two guys in terms of physical ability, and if you aren't including them on your LSU llist, its not much of a statement.
Chip Ferguson - at the time was a backup at FSU to Danny McManus, so kind of weird that he was listed. Ferguson was short and slow, and while McManus was great in college, Ferguson was kind of blah. Ended up on the Vikings, but was cut in preseason.
Scooter Mollander - a JUCO transfer to Colorado State, I have no idea how he made the list. Average college career at small school, not even a blip on the NFL radar.
Jeff Francis - big guy at Tennessee who looked the part...had a cup of coffee with the Browns.
Erik Wilhelm - Oregon State grad who ended up being one of the most successful QBs of the group. Spent many years as Esiason's backup with the Bengals.
Chuck Hartlieb - played against his younger brothers in high school, he was really good at Iowa but about 5-10 with a noodle arm. Didn't stick in the NFL.
Dave Schnell - made a name at Indiana by beating both Michigan and Ohio State, but I don't even know if he was a UFA in the NFL.
Of all the QBs they listed, the two biggest QBs of those two classes (other than Aikman) ended up being Jeff George and Andre Ware...neither of whom was on the collective QB scene after the 1987 season.