Kyle Allen vs. Keller Chryst: Which 5-Star QB Is Better?

Quarterback is the most glamorous and glorified position in sports. Many aspire to play it, but few can do it.

Kyle Allen and Keller Chryst are two of the best quarterbacks in the country, and both are scheduled to participate next week in the Elite 11 Finals, a five-day quarterback recruit competition at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Ore.

A debate has raged over which of these two fine passers is the superior prospect.

As part of B/R's series on 5-star scouting battles, Allen and Chryst have been evaluated in several position-specific categories to determine who is the better 5-star quarterback prospect. 

Player evaluations are based on review of tape at Scout.com, Rivals, 247Sports & ESPNU.

Size

Allen:

At 6'2" and 185 pounds, he is not a big-bodied athlete. Several quarterbacks in this class are bigger than him. He could get up to the 210-pound range in college, but it will take time. He's an average-sized quarterback prospect.

Chryst:

He has a 6'3", 215-pound frame and is a thickly built athlete who one day could carry as many as 235 pounds. He has the frame of a college quarterback and clearly is a bigger player than Allen.

Advantage: Chryst

Mechanics and Ball-Handling

Allen:

The Texas A&M commit has solid mechanics in the pocket. He can drive away from the center with good quickness, get to his launch point quickly and sets up well. Allen will need to clean up his footwork  as he grows his game, but his mechanics are solid. He's comfortable handling the ball and performing all of the traditional fakes, play-action sells, handoffs and pitches.

Chryst:

He has great mechanics in the pocket and gets in a good rhythm. He can work under center, quickly get to his last step, set up and release the football with good fundamentals. He doesn't sacrifice his mechanics in shotgun formations. Chryst is a solid ball-handler and sells his fakes. 

Advantage: Chryst

Release Quickness, Arm Strength

Allen:

He has a compact release and can shoot the ball out quickly. He does an excellent job of using his legs to generate power, which gives him added velocity on throws.

However, Allen has only adequate-at-best arm strength and could struggle to consistently challenge the third level of a defense in college. He does show good arm strength on short and intermediate passes. What Allen lacks in pure arm strength, he compensates for with anticipation.

Chryst:

A big and strong quarterback, he  uses a good over-the-top delivery to put some juice on throws. He can step into throws and deliver deep strikes with authority in a clean pocket. Chryst has no arm limitations and can threaten defenses vertically on any given play. 

What Allen lacks in pure arm strength, he compensates with anticipation.

 

Advantage: Chryst

 

Anticipation and Accuracy

Allen:

This is the area where Allen validates his 5-star status. He can throw the football to spots on the field that turn into open windows before the defense knows it. Allen has excellent anticipation and this allows him to make rare throws with incredible accuracy. When he is sync with his receivers, Allen's anticipation and accuracy can carry an offense to the end zone. 

Chryst:

He has no problem throwing to any direction of the field when in the pocket. He shows the ability to throw into windows and can fit the football into tight spots. Chryst understands how to switch ball speeds, which aids his accuracy and demonstrates his anticipation skills. He's solid in this category, but Allen is superior.

Advantage: Allen

Ability to Read Coverages and Decision-Making

Allen:

He is a good decision-maker who sees the field well. He understands coverage schemes, can adjust in the post-snap phase of a play and doesn't get rattled when the first read isn't there. He fits best in a Mike Martz-style of offense, where throwing to spots with anticipation is key. But Allen does have the ability to drop back, read defenders and make solid decisions.

Chryst:

He sees the entire field, having been trained to do so by his father Geep, the quarterback coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Chryst understands he is a big and strong quarterback, so he will calmly go through all of his progressions because he knows he can take a hit and still hold up. Once he sees something he likes, he usually makes a good decision.

Advantage: Push

Note: Allen threw seven INTs in 2012. Chryst threw 11.

Mobility and Ability to Make Plays as a Runner

Allen:

He displays solid athleticism and mobility. He can elude rushers in the pocket, escape pocket traffic and get away to reload his arm and deliver a pass. Allen is not going make many exciting plays as a runner,  nor is he Johnny Manziel. But he's not a sitting duck in the pocket. If needed, he'll make a play or two with his legs. 

Chryst:

He has good mobility and is not afraid to hang in the pocket. He can get away from traffic and make throws on the run. When he attacks the line of scrimmage as a runner, he shows power and strength. Chryst is not going to outrun fleet-footed back-seven defenders, but he does have the capability of getting yards with his legs.

Advantage: Push

Conclusion

Chryst has more physical talent, but Allen has a smoother game based on anticipation, rhythm and timing. However, Chryst has the ability to consistently deliver deep balls and is not far behind Allen in those categories in which he excels.

Chryst  has superior size and strength, and his accuracy, ball-handling, anticipation, mobility and release quickness also earn high marks.

Texas A&M coaches and fans are excited about Allen's arrival, and for good reason, but the winner of this 5-star scouting battle is Chryst.  

 

Edwin Weathersby is the College Football Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. He has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns.