Why Morris Claiborne's Wonderlic Score Doesn't Matter

The NFL puts players through the Wonderlic, a basic intelligence test, every year at the combine. You can find a sample of the test here courtesy of Walterfootball.com. 

Every year around this time, results start to leak. Well, the worst results at least. This year is no different, as ProFootballTalk reports from multiple league sources that LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne, expected to go in the top 10, scored a four on the test.

The article attempts to make hay of this, asking how Claiborne could have passed his classes and what is going on in the LSU football program.

Are there larger questions about how many players—not just Claiborne—stay academically eligible? Absolutely, but the NFL draft isn't exactly the right venue to pose those questions.

Does this raise questions about Claiborne's ability to play football? Absolutely not. Claiborne's collegiate teammate Patrick Peterson scored a nine last year. Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green scored a 10. They both went in the top five picks and more than proved their worth as NFL players. 

Frank Gore reportedly had a six, at least in part due to his dyslexia. The test has no special consideration for learning disabilities. Is Gore dumb? Mike Martz doesn't think so:

"

He's a one-time guy. You tell him once and he has it. That's really a remarkable quality. He really learns fast. He's a very sharp guy.

"

Claiborne's alleged Wonderlic score—official results are never released—will dominate the NFL news cycle on a slow day, but it shouldn't affect your view of him or the team that selects him in the draft. Update: Greg Gabriel of the National Football Post reports that Claiborne has a learning disability.