Cam Newton: Why He Is the Top Quarterback in the 2011 NFL Draft Hands Down

Pedigree.

It's a word that is used in conjunction with the desire to have the very best. It refers to the decision to choose those that have prepared for, and have been prepared for success.

In the 2011 NFL draft, pedigree is defined as "See Cam Newton."

It is not something to be taken lightly when consideration is given by an NFL franchise before investing millions of dollars in a player that is yet untested on the NFL fields of battle. It signifies to each team that this player has already committed the effort and dedication needed to becoming the player that they hope he will become by working to achieve the success already attained at the collegiate level.

In short, it signifies nothing less than this player is focused on becoming what each NFL team hopes he will become.  

While some NFL general managers pride themselves on finding talent in some of the most inconspicuous places, what they generally will find is a player that hasn't dedicated a substantial portion of his life to becoming the very best at his craft.

A player in a smaller school may have found limited success, but it hardly shows the dedication that it will take to become the next Hall of Fame quarterback that a player taken in the first round is expected to become.

Newton's history and experience reveals that he is a player who will not accept failure. After graduating from Westlake High School in 2007, Newton went to the Florida Gators, where he became the backup to Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.

After a scandal involving a laptop being reported as stolen that eventually turned up in Newton's possession, he moved on to Blinn Junior College in 2009 where he led that team to a national championship.

In 2010, Cam Newton capped his college career by leading the Auburn Tigers throughout the 2010 season, and on to a national championship by defeating the Oregon Ducks 22-19 in the 2011 Tostitos BCS National Championship Game.

And, of course, he also won the 2010 Heisman Trophy. Not bad, not bad at all.

Cam Newton's history is one of success everywhere he has been.  

Pedigree.

When you want the best, go after the guy that gets it done.

That's the bottom line.