2012 NFL Draft: Seattle Seahawks' GM John Schneider High on Ryan Tannehill

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider is extremely interested in Ryan Tannehill, quarterback out of Texas A&M, according to SI.com's Peter King.

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The guy was a quarterback in high school, just a football player. First and foremost, that's what we're looking for. Especially at that position. Guys that have always been in the quarterback schools, the special camps, and all that kind of stuff -- they make me a little nervous to a certain extent. This guy is a real football player. He played defense. You could see him last year when he stepped in, he just went out and played. He had this natural toughness about him that the players really rallied around and went on a winning streak. And he did a great job.

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On February 8, 2012, I wrote a post entitled "2012 NFL Mock Draft: Seahawks Make Desperate Move for Ryan Tannehill"—an idea I was excoriated for even considering at the time.

Maybe it wasn't so far-fetched after all.

Tannehill has been climbing up draft boards recently. Guys like Mike Mayock and Todd McShay (they known what the heck they're talking about) are expecting him to possibly be taken within the first 10 picks of the upcoming 2012 NFL draft.

The interesting thing to me about Tannehill is that he hasn't even been able to work out for teams yet.

Tannehill was interviewed about his recovery from the broken foot he is currently rehabbing. He is optimistic about his ability to come back, saying:

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I feel good about where I am now...It was definitely frustrating, but I’m excited about where I am right now. Dr. [Robert] Anderson said the screw looks great. It’s healing up faster than expected and I’m excited.

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Mayock also addressed this in a recent interview:

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I think Tannehill, even though he can’t work out, as long as he takes care through the process, shows people he can throw, what an athlete he is, Tannehill might go in the top-10. Everybody’s kind of thinking ‘which team can go get [Baylor QB Robert Griffin III]?’ In my head, I’m already slotting them a little bit 1-2 and wondering where Tannehill might end up because of how high [Christian] Ponder and [Jake] Locker went a year ago.

I can see all the attributes of a Locker in Tannehill. He’s a big, strong kid that can push the ball down the field. He’s athletic. I like everything about him except for the fact that on tape, I think he stares his receivers down and waits for them to come up before he rips it. That’s typical of a young quarterback without a lot of starts. I look at him and say kind of like Jake Locker.

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After watching Locker come in and provide instant offense to the Tennessee Titans last year when Matt Hasselbeck went out, it is easy to see why people are getting more and more interested in Tannehill.

Quarterbacks are valued more highly than any other position in the NFL. The Seahawks' current best option is Tavaris Jackson, a backup at best. 

Don't be surprised to see the Seahawks fall in love with this young man. He very well could be the future of the franchise, and I expect the Seahawks to strongly consider taking him with the 12th-overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft if he's still on the board.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

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