Very good arm strength; can fit balls into tight windows
Extremely quick, snappy release
Great accuracy
Nice hip torque on throws
Gets rid of ball quickly
Very decisive with the football
Takes what defense gives him; doesn’t force ball/will throw away
Elite football IQ
Great touch
Well versed in NFL offense
Good sense of timing
Will step up/out of pocket
Knows how to read coverage
Sees the entire field; great vision
Very polished for a true junior
Shown outstanding development from freshman to junior season
Extremely intelligent
Ice in his veins; great poise
Mentally tough; plays through pain
Big leader
Confident
Film room rat
Elite intangibles
Good genetics and very well coached
Spent 3.5 years in a West Coast offense
Weaknesses:
Does a poor job of selling play action
Can get lazy with footwork – but has improved this
Not a fluid athlete
Personality might come off as abrasive
Sometimes gets too much air under fade route
Lacks a little pocket awareness
Summary: Jimmy Clausen is a franchise quarterback. He has carried the spotlight since he was a teenager and has surpassed the hype. He has an outstanding skill set with the elite intangibles you see in the great quarterbacks. Clausen isn’t fazed by tense situations and has great leadership when the game is on the line. He puts in the hours to be a great quarterback and you see it on tape. Clausen will likely be the first quarterback drafted and is a projected top-five draft pick.
Player Comparison: Kurt Warner. Warner and Clausen both exhibit the same three-quarter release, they get the ball out quickly, and are extremely decisive/intelligent quarterbacks. Clausen has a stronger arm.
