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Hundley’s Goal: Silence Pre-Draft Critics

Arizona Sports News online

Brett Hundley understands the path.

It’s one he’s traveled for quite some time.

Since his days as a nearly unstoppable duel-threat quarterback at Chandler High, to three standout years at UCLA and now the NFL Hundley has always been in control.

The only aspect he can’t control is what organization he will be playing for after the NFL draft.

Until then he continues to work.

The seemingly endless quest to perfect his craft.

“The mindset is just to get as good as I can get,” Hundley said after UCLA’s Pro Day. “You can’t be worried about where you’re going to go or where you’re going to get drafted…you have to worry about yourself.”

Many believe the 6’3, 226-pounder will be the third quarterback selected after Florida State’s Jameis Winston and Oregon’s Marcus Mariota. 

“I think there’s a lot of intrigue with him,” NFL Media draft analyst Bucky Brooks told Sports360AZ.com. “I think the big thing is how does his game translate to the next level. How quickly will you be able to get him on the field.”

It’s a valid question many teams are asking. 

Nobody is questioning Hundley’s skill-set but teams need to be convinced he can take snaps under center and make his progressions after working exclusively out of the shotgun with the Bruins. Scouts also want to see more patience in the pocket as the knock on Hundley has been a tendency to tuck the ball and run when the pocket collapses or his initial read is covered.

Still, the Valley native checks off many of the boxes which make up a successful quarterback: strong-arm, athletic, fearless yet composed. 

“Love him,” NFL Network analyst Charles Davis told Sports360AZ.com’s Brad Cesmat in a recent interview. “Looks like a quarterback. Carries himself like a quarterback…wherever he is ranked right now and wherever he is drafted. I believe Brett Hundley has the potential to play above those rankings.”

The word “potential” can be a dangerous one for prospective NFL players, especially quarterbacks who often either grow and thrive or wilt away like many of the past.

Hundley is hoping to avoid the latter.

 

A Valley native, Eric has had a passion for the Arizona sports scene since an early age. He has covered some of the biggest events including Super Bowls, national championships and the NBA and MLB playoffs in his near 20 years in local media.

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