Terrelle Pryor on Same Level as Cam Newton?

Terrelle Pryor has had a very interesting offseason and his decisions have led to him leaving college and entering the NFL Supplemental Draft. Scouts have him pegged as a fourth-round pick, while his agent Drew Rosenhaus is confident that Pryor is a first-round talent.

Here’s the thing: Rosenhaus may have a case, and if Pryor stayed in college could he have ended up like a certain first-round quarterback from this year? Could he say have comparable fortune to Cameron Newton?

Physical Attributes

First thing coaches look for in a quarterback is size. Newton is 6’5” and 250 lbs., an ideal size for a quarterback. Pryor is 6’6”, 230 lbs., also a dream of any coach.

As far as speed is concerned, Newton runs in the 4.58 to 4.62-seconds range for the 40-yard dash. Pryor runs in the 4.40's to low 4.50's. Pryor is faster, but Newton is much harder to tackle.

The arm is another factor a coach focuses on. Newton has a fluid throwing motion, overhead release, quick release and can sling the ball with the best of them. Similarly, Pryor has a quick, overhead release and like Newton can sling the ball with ease.

Advantage: Draw

Consistency

Consistency is always a must from a starting quarterback in the NFL. He must be consistent with his accuracy and week after week be able to play the game with dominance.

Newton was decent when it came to accuracy. He posted a 66 completion percentage last season with only seven interceptions. He also lacked the ideal receiving corps. More importantly, Newton’s teammates knew that every week they would get his best, and every week he delivered, against SEC competition no less.

Pryor posted similar numbers his final season. He had a 65 completion percentage and 11 interceptions. The big difference is Pryor was very inconsistent in his performance. This is a guy who had trouble against Purdue two seasons ago. Last season, he was more consistent and dominated weaker competition, but he struggled against Iowa and looked lost against Wisconsin.

Lastly, Pryor had three years under Jim Tressel, while Newton had one at Auburn. Pryor also had an easier schedule and better weapons on offense.

Advantage: Newton

Big-Play Ability

Pryor may be fast, but he is not Newton when it comes to how to use his athleticism. The numbers are slightly skewed due to offensive schemes, but even in the same systems the numbers wouldn’t be close.

Pryor posted a respectable 773 yards rushing and even had a couple catches. Newton destroyed that number with his 1,473 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. Pryor is fast, but Newton is a freak and runs away with this category.

Advantage: Newton

Big Game Play

What Pryor does have going for him is that when he is in a big game, he comes to play. Two seasons ago he led Ohio State to a statement victory over a favored Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Last season, he had 221 yards passing with two touchdowns. More importantly, he rushed for 115 yards against Arkansas. He may not have as much Big Play in him as Newton, but the guy certainly has it.

Newton is no slouch in the category as he has won the national championship on the Junior College level and BCS level. Newton brings his best in the championship game, but I actually favor Pryor’s play in the two bowl games.

Advantage: Pryor

Mental

The most important trait of an NFL quarterback is how a quarterback is mentally. It takes leadership and discipline to excel in the NFL.

Newton’s leadership is well documented and unquestioned on the collegiate level. His discipline is in question due to the “pay-to-play” incident and stolen laptop issue, but those are minor character issues that Newton can get past.

Pryor, on the other hand, never looked like he made Ohio State his team. He looked like he was just waiting for instructions and then would run the play. He never showed the leadership of a high-caliber quarterback.

As for his character well…to put in simply, he is very immature and sunk his coach and team. His actions showed lack of anything wanted in a leader. He let his coach take the full blow of the fire storm and then, once Tressel is gone, breaks Tressel’s trust in him and leaves school. He made a deal that he could play if he returned next season, but he was not mature enough to handle the heat.

He disgraced Ohio State more than Tressel could ever be blamed for.

Advantage: Newton

Conclusion…

Pryor has size, athleticism, can win big games and he even ran an offense that was called using numbers. Unfortunately, his maturity and leadership problems make him nowhere near a first-round talent and should be grateful if he’s even drafted.