One of the most intriguing names in the 2016 NFL Draft class is that of North Dakota State Bison quarterback Carson Wentz, who is projected by some as a Top 5 pick in spite of his playing at a Division I-AA program.
However, a former teammate of Wentz’s, NDSU left tackle Joe Haeg, says that playing at an FCS school isn’t at all indicative of Wentz’s overall talent. Haeg is alongside Wentz at the NFL Scouting Combine this week and also expected to be drafted in the early rounds come April, and he sung his teammate’s praises to reporters.
“If you would have asked me two or three years ago I would have said he had the potential to be a first round pick,” Haeg said. “You see what he does off the field and then you see what he does on the field and no question, the guy is committed to the game, master of his craft.
“I mean even when we were redshirts he was tearing up our defense as a scout team quarterback. In 2011, he was the best quarterback. The guy has always been special.”
Wentz’s numbers certainly suggest just that. He completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 5,115 yards and 45 touchdowns in four years with the Bison and was instrumental in leading North Dakota State to a fourth consecutive FCS championship in 2014. The Bison won the title yet again in 2015, but Wentz was unable to play after breaking his wrist in October.
That all being said, nobody knows a quarterback better than the man protecting him, so Haeg’s words should be taken to heart. He also called Wentz “an amazing player” and scouts have nothing but good things to say about his poise in the pocket and his passing accuracy, so there is little to suggest now that he won’t succeed in the NFL.
Stay tuned to Campus Sports for any further updates from Wentz’s path to the NFL!
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
