How BYU’s Zach Wilson Stacks Up Against Other Potential 2021 NFL Draft Quarterbacks
Nov 7, 2020, 5:30 PM | Updated: 9:43 pm
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – BYU quarterback Zach Wilson entered the 2021 NFL Draft conversation with his play throughout the Cougars’ 8-0 start to the season.
On Friday, November 6, Wilson led BYU to a dominant 51-17 road victory over the No. 21 Boise State Broncos.
With only two games left on the Cougars’ schedule, many college football experts believe that Wilson and BYU will close the regular season at 10-0 with a chance to play in New Year’s Six bowl game.
Along with that potential postseason, professional football experts have shot Wilson up their mock drafts and believe he is a first round selection in April’s 2021 NFL Draft.
Zach Wilson. I’m in.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) November 7, 2020
With that said, how does Wilson stack up against other college football quarterbacks in this year’s class of draftable players?
Stats updated through games played on Saturday, November 7.
Zach Wilson – BYU Cougars
Class: Junior
Height: 6-3
Weight: 210 lbs.
2020 Stats
Completion percentage: 75.0
Passing yards: 2,511
Passing touchdowns: 21
Interceptions: 2
Quarterback Rating: 200.6
Rushing yards: 158
Rushing touchdowns: 8
Team’s current record: 8-0
Team’s current ranking: 9
Another one 💯
Zach Wilson throws a strike to extend @BYUfootball's lead pic.twitter.com/YV7YTR3N1V
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 7, 2020
Trevor Lawrence – Clemson Tigers
Class: Junior
Height: 6-6
Weight: 220 lbs.
2020 Stats
Completion percentage: 70.7
Passing yards: 1,833
Passing touchdowns: 17
Interceptions: 2
Quarterback Rating: 178.6
Rushing yards: 71
Rushing touchdowns: 4
Team’s current record: 7-1
Team’s current ranking: 1
TOE-TAP TIGERS TOUCHDOWN!
Trevor Lawrence to Amari Rodgers for a 27-yd TD!
Watch live on ACCN or here: https://t.co/lu6NuCdXJ2 pic.twitter.com/bmBweAntkH
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) October 4, 2020
Justin Fields – Ohio State Buckeyes
Class: Junior
Height: 6-3
Weight: 228 lbs.
2020 Stats
Completion percentage: 86.7
Passing yards: 908
Passing touchdowns: 11
Interceptions: 0
Quarterback Rating: 214.0 (excludes game on Saturday, November 7)
Rushing yards: 57
Rushing touchdowns: 2
Team’s current record: 3-0
Team’s current ranking: 3
Justin Fields, how? pic.twitter.com/MglOF1NKOi
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 1, 2020
Trey Lance – North Dakota State Bison
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-3
Weight: 226 lbs.
2020 Stats
Completion percentage: 50.0
Passing yards: 149
Passing touchdowns: 2
Interceptions: 1
Quarterback Rating: 107.1
Rushing yards: 143
Rushing touchdowns: 2
Team’s current record: 1-0
Team’s current ranking: NR
Trey Lance refused to go down and willed his way to the end zone 💪 pic.twitter.com/J7IAl7DkoC
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 3, 2020
Kellen Mond – Texas A&M Aggies
Class: Senior
Height: 6-3
Weight: 217 lbs.
2020 Stats
Completion percentage: 64.3
Passing yards: 1,468
Passing touchdowns: 16
Interceptions: 2
Quarterback Rating: 154.5 (excludes game on Saturday, November 7)
Rushing yards: 78. 34
Rushing touchdowns: 1
Team’s current record: 4-1
Team’s current ranking: 7
THIS GAME 😮
Kellen Mond drops a 51-yard dime and Florida-Texas A&M is going down to the wire on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/GW0Sj2TSz8
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 10, 2020
Brock Purdy – Iowa State Cyclones
Class: Junior
Height: 6-1
Weight: 212 lbs.
2020 Stats
Completion percentage: 62.2
Passing yards: 1,477
Passing touchdowns: 10
Interceptions: 6
Quarterback Rating: 128.2 (excludes game on Saturday, November 7)
Rushing yards: 194
Rushing touchdowns: 3
Team’s current record: 5-2
Team’s current ranking: 17
Brock Purdy ➡️ Tarique Milton 🔥 @CycloneFB strikes for a 73 yard touchdown. pic.twitter.com/v78G44IwNQ
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 15, 2019
Kyle Trask – Florida Gators
Class: Senior
Height: 6-5
Weight: 240 lbs.
2020 Stats
Completion percentage: 68.3
Passing yards: 1,815
Passing touchdowns: 22
Interceptions: 3
Quarterback Rating: 189.2 (excludes game on Saturday, November 7)
Rushing yards: 70
Rushing touchdowns: 0
Team’s current record: 4-1
Team’s current ranking: 8
Kyle Trask finds the wide open Kemore Gamble and the @GatorsFB have their first lead of the game pic.twitter.com/WgRF54MyCN
— SEConCBS (@SEConCBS) November 7, 2020
Sam Ehlinger – Texas Longhorns
Class: Senior
Height: 6-3
Weight: 225 lbs.
2020 Stats
Completion percentage: 58.8
Passing yards: 1,834
Passing touchdowns: 22
Interceptions: 5
Quarterback Rating: 149.1 (excludes game on Saturday, November 7)
Rushing yards: 323
Rushing touchdowns: 7
Team’s current record: 5-2
Team’s current ranking: 22
Sam Ehlinger with a 33-yard TD toss to give Texas a 17-10 lead 👀 pic.twitter.com/fMxqp9kx94
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 7, 2020
D’Eriq King – Miami Hurricanes
Class: Senior
Height: 5-11
Weight: 202 lbs.
2020 Stats
Completion percentage: 63.8
Passing yards: 1,831
Passing touchdowns: 16
Interceptions: 4
Quarterback Rating: 152.5
Rushing yards: 406
Rushing touchdowns: 2
Team’s current record: 6-1
Team’s current ranking: 11
D'Eriq King is letting it fly 🎯 pic.twitter.com/fIxEXQtI0L
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 27, 2020
Shane Buechele – SMU Mustangs
Class: Senior
Height: 6-1
Weight: 207 lbs.
2020 Stats
Completion percentage: 66.5
Passing yards: 2,581
Passing touchdowns: 20
Interceptions: 3
Quarterback Rating: 160.2 (excludes game on Saturday, November 7)
Rushing yards: 87
Rushing touchdowns: 1
Team’s current record: 7-1
Team’s current ranking: 18
RINSE AND REPEAT!
Shane Buechele ➡️ Reggie Roberson Jr. pic.twitter.com/Bdom3FtZwS
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 3, 2020
Wilson and BYU’s next game is against North Alabama on November 21 at 1:00 p.m. (MDT). The game will broadcast on BYUtv and KSL NewsRadio 102.7 FM and 1160 AM.
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).