Jevan Snead Looking To Draft Because He Can

If you’re wondering why a third-round prospect is looking toward the NFL draft as a junior, the answer is simple: context. Despite being a strong group of college style qbs, the Colt McCoys and Tim Tebows of the class of 2009-10 don’t fit into the very narrow definition of “pro quarterback.” The best prospect, Sam Bradford, is coming off shoulder surgery. The rest remain iffy at best on paper as pro qbs in what is overall a class thin on obvious prospects.

Enter Jevan Snead, the Ole Miss junior with a massive arm and a massive tendency to put the ball in the other teams’ hands. Snead has all the talent in the world, but threw as many picks as touchdowns (20 of each) and looked lost in big games.

Entering the NFL draft too early might be a serious vocational error for Snead, but there is the question of whether he’ll get that training at Ole Miss even with another year under his belt. Houston Nutt’s offenses have turned out little in the way of NFL-ready talent under center, and even accounting for losses on the offensive line Snead seemed to regress this year. Snead will hear what Houston Nutt has to say about staying, and it will probably be to spend another year in school to mature. He should listen, even if another year only makes him bigger and stronger before hitting the NFL. When the NFL hits him back, as it does all quarterbacks, he’ll need the extra padding.