Breaking Down 4-Star QB David Cornwell's Highlight Tape

A 4-star prospect, quarterback David Cornwell can easily be considered the headliner of Alabama's recruiting class. He is a talented passer who plays in Oklahoma and has a great skill set.

Cornwell, who is 6'5" and 241 pounds, can spin the football as well as any quarterback in the nation. The talent in his right arm has made him one of the top players in the country, and it can be seen on his highlight tape.

The throws that Cornwell make on film call for a more in-depth look.

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

Play No. 1 0:00-0:10

On the initial play of Cornwell's highlight tape, he is in a shotgun formation with trips to the field side. What's obvious at first glance is that this is a big quarterback with a thick frame.

One can look at Cornwell's mechanics on this play and rightfully pick out things they do not like. However, watch as he simultaneously keeps his eyes downfield while having a good feel for the rush.

Cornwell displays good pocket presence by recognizing his left tackle is getting beat, uses adequate mobility to find a new launch point and displays rare arm strength to fire an accurate strike downfield.

Play No. 2 0:11-0:19

247Sports

On this play, Cornwell displays some foot-quickness and athleticism to attack the edges of the line of scrimmage and makes a dazzling throw on the run.

What's also impressive is the accuracy he shows.

Play No. 3 0:20-0:29

247Sports

In shotgun formation with trips to the wide side of the field again, Cornwell takes a snap from the gun on a designed run. For a big man, he showcases his deceptive athletic ability on this play.

Cornwell gallops to the perimeter and turns the corner on the defense.

Play No. 4 0:30-0:36

247Sports

Here's another play where one can see how Cornwell displays the knack for immediately looking at coverage while keeping tabs on the rush. He gets flushed out of the pocket with A-gap pressure and shows great secondary-reaction skills.

His receiver helps him out by coming back to the quarterback, which allows Cornwell to deliver a solid throw on the run.

Play No. 5 0:37-0:42

247Sports

Here is where Cornwell displays great pre-snap read skills. He sees the motion moves the safety from on top of the defense, which is where the skinny post/seam route his slot receiver wants to go.

It's evident that Cornwell knew exactly where he wanted to go with the ball well before the top of his drop, as he quickly planted his back foot and drove the football to the third level with accurate velocity.

Play No. 6 0:43-0:51

247Sports

Cornwell recognizes the single-high safety cheating to the field, and knows that he has a post on the boundary. However, the safety does a good job of getting back to the top of the defense.

The throw is still completed by Cornwell due to solid accuracy, but more notably: arm strength. A quarterback with average arm strength likely would not have gotten the ball to the receiver in time.

Play No. 7 0:52-1:06

247Sports

Not only does Cornwell have similar size to Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, this play shows he has similar mobility, strength and creativity to the Super Bowl-winning passer.

Watch how Cornwell maneuvers around the pocket, muscles his away out of a tackle, stays upright and has the presence of mind to look downfield to find an open receiver.

Play No. 8 1:07-1:16

Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

In what appears to be a scrimmage, Cornwell showcases great judgement and trajectory on this play. He delivers the ball to a receiver on a seam route, and he fires with great force but also with the proper angle to get it over the defensive back.

Alabama is getting a quarterback who definitely knows he can sling it.

Play No. 9 1:17-1:24

Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

247Sports

This play is nothing to elaborate, as Cornwell simply displays the arm strength to attack the deep perimeter of the field on a 9 route. He just stands tall in the pocket, with good poise, recognizes where he wants to go with the ball and launches an accurate dime for a score.

2014 Bleacher Report College Football Recruiting Heat Map

Use the 2014 Bleacher Report College Football Recruiting Heat Map to locate Cornwell, along with many of the top prospects in the nation. This is a great resource loaded with information on all of the elite prospects of this year's recruiting cycle!

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.