Zach Wilson is the name most talked about by college football experts in 2020. At 1.91m, 95 pounds and in his third season in college football, the BYU No. 1 is on the rise, already being touted as a likely first choice round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
The talented QB will be in action for the Brazilian public through Watch ESPN, this Saturday (25), at 11:15 pm, leading the undefeated BYU (5-0) in the match against Texas State (1-5).
In five games so far, Wilson has impressed, especially, with his passing performance: 78.7% – on his way to being the all-time record holder in a College Football season. The number is even more extraordinary when compared to the first two years of the player’s career: 66% and 62% in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
The average yards per pass attempted is also insanely positive: 12.1. He is second in the 2020 season, behind Mac Jones, who has Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith, two wide receivers expected to be first-round picks in the NFL. Just behind the Alabama quarterback, Wilson also appears in the rating (statistic that measures the efficiency of the quarterback), with 207.7.
– Zach Wilson’s development is something really special when you look from his second year to his third year. He had what I call a ‘veteran’s leap’ and he never looked back. He is connecting the passes that the defense has allowed, he has full control of the attack and is hardly being disturbed – explains Cam Mellor, American football analyst at SB Nation, from the United States.
To understand the ‘Zach Wilson phenomenon’ that is taking over College Football, the Lance! talked to the aforementioned Cam Mellor and Henrique Mol, from the profile NFL Scout BR, specializing in the analysis of college football players.
qualities and weaknesses
Zach Wilson’s ability to make so-called ‘NFL passes’ draws attention. In the professional league, with players technically and athletically better than in College Football, the windows for connecting shots are smaller, which demands greater speed on the ball, faster mental processing, and, of course, precision.
– Zach Wilson has shown himself to be an extremely accurate QB above all else. He consistently places the pass in a position that greatly helps the receiver make the catch, and often gain yards afterward. In addition, his mobility in dealing with pressure in the pocket, or gaining yards with his legs, will help the player at many points during his career. These are two elements that translate very well to the NFL – said Henrique Mol, from NFL Scout BR.
The BYU quarterback also stands out for his physical qualities, possessing the height and athleticism that NFL teams typically look for in a quarterback. To date, Wilson has 100 yards with his legs and six touchdowns. His skill with his legs has also allowed him to extend plays in the pocket, avoiding sacks, just four this season, and having more time to scan the field and find a free receiver.
– His greatest qualities are the ones that aren’t trainable, like height, speed, athleticism, accuracy, football intelligence… He had the aforementioned ‘veteran’s leap’ and those qualities are on full display. Other qualities of him are the strength in the arm, as well as his knowledge and comfort in the offensive scheme, something that can translate very well in the transition to the NFL. His weaknesses are consistency, especially when looking at last year, as well as some injury issues. But that can be fixed with a strong offensive line in the NFL, such as he has at his disposal at BYU – analyzes Cam Mellor, who thinks Wilson’s game resembles that of Alex Smith, in his days in Utah and in the beginning of the career with the San Francisco 49ers.
– Zach’s (potential) cap is a top pick in the draft and 10 years or more as a starter in the NFL. I compare it a lot to what Alex Smith did in Utah and in his early days in San Francisco. I think Zach is a little more athletic, but like Smith he has all the tools at his disposal and is a top notch athlete.
For Henrique Mol, the memory is with what Baker Mayfield performed on the college football circuit in Oklahoma, before becoming the number 1 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, selected by the Cleveland Browns.
– I wouldn’t say it’s a comparison yet, because it’s an incomplete sample. Right now, I see features that remind me of Baker Mayfield.
QB class promises in 2021
NFL teams that need a quarterback for the future are salivating at the talent they will have at their disposal in the next draft. Trevor Lawrence, de Clemsonis practically unanimous as the best of the position and should be the first overall pick in 2021. Justin Fields, from Ohio State and who debuts in the 2020 season this Saturday (24), Mac Jones, from Alabama, Kyle Trask, from Florida, Trey Lance, de North Dakota State, and Zach Wilson fight for the QB2 post.
– I think Justin Fields doesn’t get enough credit for his pitches to the outside of the field. Fields is automatically classified as a double threat as a quarterback because he is so electric when the play is broken. But his ability to put the pitch in the back of the field perfectly is unparalleled in this class of quarterbacks. Zach is slightly behind Fields overall in position, in my view. And Trey Lance is way behind, as fourth or fifth in this class – compares Cam Mellor, from SB Nation.
