Nicely..Frosh, Spring and beyond...

[xu9697]

First of all, he had rough moments last year and at the spring game. But he had very good moments during both as well.

I think his completion % will be the most scrutinized part of his game right now, besides maybe general decision making. Tough to question his arm strength or moxie for the the position.

Just looking at the spring game:

15 of 41= not good. But he had AT LEAST 5 passes dropped, and I missed a good deal of quarter #2 waiting in the concessions line. So I will assume there was another drop or 2 in there. So, with some catches= 50%...still not good.

But I truly think he will be OK. He missed on a good deal of touch passes, but also had a couple of really nice throws that required touch. At least one where the TE (#95..name escapes me) dropped the ball going straight from his set to the sideline.

54% in his Frosh year. Looking at Powlus's last QB= Clausen went 56, 60 and then 68 in his 3 years. I don't think Powlus was there year 1. Looking at some other notable (for various reasons) QBs...

Quinn= 47, 54, 65, 62. Missed out on winning many big games, but still a darn good college career by most standards

Getsy= 53 and 52 in his 2 years here. Obviously had some success here.

Frey= 59, 66, 65 and 64

Derek Anderson= 42 and 47 in limited action 1st 2 years...51 and 54 after that.

If I had to guess....

Nicely will bump it up a bit this year...56 to 58. Learning curve slowed a bit by new offense. His junior and senior years I see him around 60-62%. Tough to project if he will make the quantum leap that Clausen did in 3 years, and I don't see him becoming LeFevour or McCoy in regards to completion %. But I feel it will improve enough to make him highly effective. I am still thoroughly impressed by the kid and think he will do big things for the program in his junior and senior years. It will be worth the growing pains of FR and Soph seasons.