How good is Hunt? How high is his ceiling?

[Crusty]

I am no expert and I fully realize that we don't have really good data points but it sure is a pleasant surprise to see a RS Soph play about as well as anyone has the right to expect any QB to play. I would love to hear you coaches and experts out there chime in.

I find myself asking what attributes are required to be a truly top-notch college QB.
My non-technical, uniformed, amateur analysis:

1. Football IQ
2. Strong accurate arm
3. Pocket poise
4. Ability to see the field quickly and to efficiently run through progressions
5. Escapability
6. Size and durability
7. Running ability
8. Work Ethic
9. Intense competitor
10. Leadership ability

So far, Hunt seems to have all of the above, albeit in varying quantities. He would appear to have a very high ceiling. He has all the physical attributes and has demonstrated good poise and command of the playbook. I realize that the best data points we will get so far will be Oct 5th but I have a feeling he will do just fine.

With all the usual caveats and disclaimers, it is starting to look like Terrel (one "l" guys) is the real deal.

Anybody out there think he is a mirage?

 

[Townie72]

I am no expert and I fully realize that we don't have really good data points but it sure is a pleasant surprise to see a RS Soph play about as well as anyone has the right to expect any QB to play. I would love to hear you coaches and experts out there chime in.

I find myself asking what attributes are required to be a truly top-notch college QB.
My non-technical, uniformed, amateur analysis:

1. Football IQ
2. Strong accurate arm
3. Pocket poise
4. Ability to see the field quickly and to efficiently run through progressions
5. Escapability
6. Size and durability
7. Running ability
8. Work Ethic
9. Intense competitor
10. Leadership ability

So far, Hunt seems to have all of the above, albeit in varying quantities. He would appear to have a very high ceiling. He has all the physical attributes and has demonstrated good poise and command of the playbook. I realize that the best data points we will get so far will be Oct 5th but I have a feeling he will do just fine.

With all the usual caveats and disclaimers, it is starting to look like Terrel (one "l" guys) is the real deal.

Anybody out there think he is a mirage?

 

[orangeinjersey]

I know folks are discounting the competition but like you said, he has played LIGHTS OUT. We have played a number of FCS and low level FBS teams and have NEVER had a QB play like that. There is some merit there and the kid should be given some credit. Now that being said, he has every opportunity to have his coming out party on 10/5 and introduce the world of college football to Terrel Hunt.

Remember folks, we CAN still win the ACC. We're 0-0.

LGO!

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

So far, his decision making has been spot on. He hasn't been throwing constantly into double/triple coverage (ala Drew Allen).

It's his ball that concerns me. There doesn't seem to be very much zip on his throws. Can he fit a ball into a tight window? Can he makes throws against top level competition without defensive players having enough time to make a play on the ball? We shall see.

 

[orangeinjersey]

So far, his decision making has been spot on. He hasn't been throwing constantly into double/triple coverage (ala Drew Allen).

It's his ball that concerns me. There doesn't seem to be very much zip on his throws. Can he fit a ball into a tight window? Can he makes throws against top level competition without defensive players having enough time to make a play on the ball? We shall see.

Nassib = Too much zip
Hunt = Too little zip

Can someone explain to me what the right amount of "zip" is. May be a youtube clip of a QB demonstrating the perfect dose of zip?

 

[bballbeadle]

Well, last night I had a dream about him, I kid you not. The dream included a walking, talking pink lamp table and getting lost in Buckingham Palace, where I realized my mother was sisters with the Queen of England. Sometime during that dream, I saw Hunt diving for a touchdown and thought to myself, "He's the real deal!"

So, you see, Hunt is definitely NOT a mirage!

 

[Townie72]

C'mon, Gentlemen.

This may be fun to talk about but, seriously, its way, way early to be projecting how good or not good he's going to be.

On the basis of one home game against Tulane, things seem promising. But I can think of SU QB's who weren't so good over their careers who had individual games in which they were very good.

Four more games with Hunt at the helm will give us an idea of how good he's going to be. But to expect the QB numbers that he achieved on Saturday to continue is way over-optimistic.

 

[Crusty]

Hunt played better than any other QB in the country in two games - nobody is expecting that to continue. I don't care if it was St Mary's his performance isn't nothing either.

We have been lamenting the lack of a QB and banking on a kid that has not even entered the school yet so it is understandable that everyone is looking at Hunt and saying, "Whoa!"

If Kobena had caught perfectly thrown passes, Hunt would be at about 85% completion. That is good for practice.

Hunt will have his bad games and tough times but the kid is made of tough stuff and he will bounce back. Gotta be excited.

 

[OmahaCuse]

Zip = velocity...That will improve over the next few years...I don't know his raw arm strength down the field or if he can throw NFL out routes like Nassib. But, who cares in CFB many of the best QB's are not NFL players (i.e. Manziel)

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

Nassib = Too much zip
Hunt = Too little zip

Can someone explain to me what the right amount of "zip" is. May be a youtube clip of a QB demonstrating the perfect dose of zip?

I have absolutely no definition or explanation about what I mean. It's just the first word that comes to mind when I think about his throws.

 

[upperdeck]

you can make up for zip with timing and accuracy. it may be one reason he has played better in games than what coaches thought they saw in practice. some of his best plays would not happen in a practice with the lack of contact they put on qbs

 

[Trueblue25]

The main thing that sticks out to me is Hunt is a General.

He commands his offense with confidence, poise and the support of his teammates. With his athleticism and talent, the upside at the moment is impossible to measure.

 

[All4SU]

I am no expert and I fully realize that we don't have really good data points but it sure is a pleasant surprise to see a RS Soph play about as well as anyone has the right to expect any QB to play. I would love to hear you coaches and experts out there chime in.

I find myself asking what attributes are required to be a truly top-notch college QB.
My non-technical, uniformed, amateur analysis:

1. Football IQ
2. Strong accurate arm
3. Pocket poise
4. Ability to see the field quickly and to efficiently run through progressions
5. Escapability
6. Size and durability
7. Running ability
8. Work Ethic
9. Intense competitor
10. Leadership ability

So far, Hunt seems to have all of the above, albeit in varying quantities. He would appear to have a very high ceiling. He has all the physical attributes and has demonstrated good poise and command of the playbook. I realize that the best data points we will get so far will be Oct 5th but I have a feeling he will do just fine.

With all the usual caveats and disclaimers, it is starting to look like Terrel (one "l" guys) is the real deal.

Anybody out there think he is a mirage?

I don't think there is any question the kid can play. Will he continue to improve? We shall see. I think he will.

Also, I suspect your 1-10 were in no specific order. But I believe #10 is much higher on the list of critical attributes for a QB on a winning team. Lots of kids can throw a ball, have a big arm, or bark out plays. The intangibles are much more important if you want to win consistently. Way too early to know for certain. But I think Hunt just might be that kind of player/leader.

But regardless, he is good right now. I don't care who we play, I have confidence the kid will not let us down. He will make some mistakes (eventually). Even the very best do. At this point in time, he changes the dynamics of this team -- for the better.

 

[Alsacs]

Best case scenario is Terrel Hunt becomes a Tajh Boyd type QB. Boyd is a good passer who can scramble but wants to stay in the pocket. Boyd doesn't have a huge arm, but is smart and can make NFL passes. Boyd can run the read option, but isn't looking to run all game like other mobile QBs. I don't think Hunt is Boyd, but this would be his ceiling if everything went 100% in our favor.
Worst case scenario Hunt is a Perry Patterson type QB who is a game manager but not somebody who can takeover the game.

 

[Crusty]

I don't think there is any question the kid can play. Will he continue to improve? We shall see. I think he will.

Also, I suspect your 1-10 were in no specific order. But I believe #10 is much higher on the list of critical attributes for a QB on a winning team. Lots of kids can throw a ball, have a big arm, or bark out plays. The intangibles are much more important if you want to win consistently. Way too early to know for certain. But I think Hunt just might be that kind of player/leader.

But regardless, he is good right now. I don't care who we play, I have confidence the kid will not let us down. He will make some mistakes (eventually). Even the very best do. At this point in time, he changes the dynamics of this team -- for the better.

You are correct, list in no specific order - #10 is probably close to #1.

 

[OrangePA]

He has command of the offense.

He seems utterly calm.

He throws a very catchable ball - maybe the best I have seen on the Hill.

He seems pretty accurate - I really liked the quick throw to Cleveland for the short TD in the West Endzone - perfect throw - and the throw to Clark toward the East Endzone that ended up at the one yard line - another perfect throw.

He sees the entire field.

He moves well - though he is clearly no McNabb in that respect.

Clearly the downside is arm strength - at least from the coaches perspective, that seems to be the quality that prompted the coaches to start Drew Allen.

 

[SUFan44]

Best case scenario is Terrel Hunt becomes a Tajh Boyd type QB. Boyd is a good passer who can scramble but wants to stay in the pocket. Boyd doesn't have a huge arm, but is smart and can make NFL passes. Boyd can run the read option, but isn't looking to run all game like other mobile QBs. I don't think Hunt is Boyd, but this would be his ceiling if everything went 100% in our favor.
Worst case scenario Hunt is a Perry Patterson type QB who is a game manager but not somebody who can takeover the game.

Please don't ever say that again.

 

[Alsacs]

Please don't ever say that again.

What is wrong? Patterson was a decent college QB who wasn't elite, but was serviceable during his SU career. He had awful coaching his entire career George DeLeone as his coach and then Pariani and I forget his last coach. Patterson had talent but just never had the help he needed.

 

[jekelish]

Nassib = Too much zip
Hunt = Too little zip

Can someone explain to me what the right amount of "zip" is. May be a youtube clip of a QB demonstrating the perfect dose of zip?

See: Rodgers, Aaron for your answer.

(I know you were being facetious, of course)

 

[Legendof44]

Things we absolutely know about Hunt:

his basketball past makes his field vision pretty great
he never seems to get too high or too low on the field/ has good poise ( i dont care who the opponent was )
what he has been through in his personal life seems to make him stronger under pressure on the football field because in the grand scheme of things its just a game

 

[OrangePA]

What is wrong? Patterson was a decent college QB who wasn't elite, but was serviceable during his SU career. He had awful coaching his entire career George DeLeone as his coach and then Pariani and I forget his last coach. Patterson had talent but just never had the help he needed.

That's a bad comment - sorry.

Please enlighten us regarding the "awful coaching" that Patterson received. Were you there in practice? Did you review coaching film? Please tell us what you know.

While doing so, please review the 2004 6-6 bowl season, including the win at BC, the win against a good Pitt team and the near win against FSU - as well as the sophomore passing records that Patterson set in 2004.

 

[Crusty]

He seems pretty accurate - I really liked the quick throw to Cleveland for the short TD in the West Endzone - perfect throw - and the throw to Clark toward the East Endzone that ended up at the one yard line - another perfect throw.

I watched the game on Fox Sports South last night and was taken with those two throws as well.

 

[TheCusian]

So far, his decision making has been spot on. He hasn't been throwing constantly into double/triple coverage (ala Drew Allen).

It's his ball that concerns me. There doesn't seem to be very much zip on his throws. Can he fit a ball into a tight window? Can he makes throws against top level competition without defensive players having enough time to make a play on the ball? We shall see.

Zip:
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9701124&ex_cid=espnapi_public

 

[Alsacs]

That's a bad comment - sorry.

Please enlighten us regarding the "awful coaching" that Patterson received. Were you there in practice? Did you review coaching film? Please tell us what you know.

While doing so, please review the 2004 6-6 bowl season, including the win at BC, the win against a good Pitt team and the near win against FSU - as well as the sophomore passing records that Patterson set in 2004.

I was giving Patterson credit, but his coaching was terrible during his career. The kid was a good player, but DeLeone and Paraini were bad Offensive Coordinators. I get you love Coach P, but the coaching wasn't good IMO you may disagree, but I feel the coaching he got stunted his growth. I feel Patterson had a good decent career that could have been better if the coaching was better.

 

[SU2NASA]