Garrett Grayson is going into the National Football League. That’s right, Colorado State’s starting quarterback for the last three years will find his way into an NFL training camp soon.
Why? Grayson’s draft day stock is rising quicker than Apple’s when they announced the iWatch. And for the former Rams QB, it’s all coming at the perfect time.
On Monday morning, Grayson worked out for NFL scouts during his own Pro Day on CSU’s campus. His numbers were impressive: A 4.54 40-yard dash, 34-inch vertical leap, a 10’1” broad jump and he completed 60-64 passes.
Up goes that stock. While Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston will be the first two quarterbacks taken – and possibly the first two players drafted – Grayson is making a case for being the No. 3 QB.
When the 2014 season started, Grayson was barely mentioned as a possible NFL player. Now he’s basically a lock to be drafted, some believe he could go as early as the second round.
The evolution of Grayson’s game was never as evident as in 2014, yet we should rewind to look at the big picture. When he came to Fort Collins, he was a dual-threat quarterback and after being thrust into the starting job late in his freshman year, he ran for his life. 2012 saw much more of that “look at one receiver and tuck it” mentality. He wasn’t processing the passing game and the line wasn’t holding up for him.
2013 brought gifted running back Kapri Bibbs and a talented, veteran offensive line. The pressure on Grayson lessoned, both figuratively and literally, as he was able to hand it off to Bibbs, which sucked up defenders he would later pick apart. But he was locking in on one receiver too often, and still running instead of going through his reads.
That’s where he improved greatly in 2014. Grayson stopped tucking it to run, focusing on passing with the most precision anyone’s ever seen out of the 23-year old. At long last, he was progressing through reads, checking down to take what the defense gives him. It’s an important skill for a professional quarterback to possess, something which will help him at the next level. Grayson evolved before our eyes in 2014, from dual-threat to pocket-passer and NFL teams are intrigued.
Sure, he enjoyed tons of yards after the catch thanks to phenom Rashard Higgins, but Grayson also impressed with the touch and accuracy of his deep balls. When it was all said and done, he set new single-season records (4,006 yards, 32 touchdowns) and holds Colorado State career records in every passing category. Then he was invited to and performed well at the Senior Bowl, where he again boosted that draft stock in the eyes of scouts.
Grayson was the greatest quarterback to ever lace up cleats for CSU and he’s the best chance the school’s ever had at a starting QB in the NFL.
It can’t be missed that the local NFL team is looking closely at the former Ram. The Denver Broncos ran a prospect profile on him last week as the ever intelligent Andrew Mason broke down his film. Gary Kubiak, whose sons Clint and Klay both played at Colorado State, is now the Broncos head coach and Kubiak has long liked Rams players. His Broncos just signed Shelley Smith to play guard for Denver and the team may be giving Grayson a long, hard look. It’s no surprise they’ll need a successor for Peyton Manning when he eventually retires and Grayson could be just the guy to learn under the future Hall of Famer.
