NFL Draft: Ranking Eight Packers Prospects at Quarterback

Looking beyond the first tier of quarterbacks, here is everything you need to know about some of the Day 3 prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – With the looming trade of Aaron Rodgers, the elevation of Jordan Love and only Danny Etling in reserve, the Green Bay Packers need another quarterback.

While general manager Brian Gutekunst said it “would be nice” to add a veteran to the room, with each day that passes and with each free agent that signs elsewhere, the pool of experienced signal-callers grows more and more shallow.

Beyond the Big Five of C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson, Will Levis and Hendon Hooker, the rookie pool isn’t particularly inviting, either. The Packers don’t like short quarterbacks and they don’t like unathletic quarterbacks.

In the first of a series of NFL Draft previews, here is how we rank our eight best-of-the-rest quarterback prospects.

Note No. 1: This story excludes Georgia’s Stetson Bennett (5-foot-11 1/4) and Louisville’s Malik Cunningham (5-foot-11 7/8) because they fall so far outside Green Bay’s historic size preferences. Fresno State’s Jake Haener (6-foot) and BYU’s Jaren Hall (6-foot 1/8) might be off the board, too. They are included in this story but were pushed down our rankings because of their height.

It also doesn’t include Young, Stroud, etc., as we work under the assumption Gutekunst won’t burn a first-round pick on a quarterback.

Note No. 2: Analytical stats are from Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA

All photos by USA Today Sports Images

Measureables: 6-foot-1 1/2, 203 pounds. 9 7/8 hands. 4.56 40. 7.69 RAS.

Stats and accolades: Over the course of five seasons, Thompson-Robinson threw for 10,710 yards with 68 touchdowns vs. 36 interceptions. He broke Brett Hundley’s school record for total offense in a career with 12,236 yards. In 2022, his 69.6 percent completion rate set a school record and ranked sixth nationally. He had 50-plus rushing yards in seven games. He tossed multiple touchdowns in nine of 13 games and ran for multiple scores on four occasions. Thompson-Robinson and Oregon’s Bo Nix were the only quarterbacks in FBS with at least 27 passing touchdowns and 12 rushing touchdowns.

Analytical stats: Among the 38 draft-eligible quarterbacks who threw at least 30 deep passes (20-plus yards downfield), Thompson-Robinson ranked 32nd in completion percentage (35.0), 23rd in yards per attempt (13.0) and 15th in passer rating (112.5). Of 40 draft-eligible quarterbacks with at least 90 attempts while under pressure, Thompson-Robinson was No. 12 in completion percentage (48.2), No. 14 in yards per attempt (6.5) and No. 18 in passer rating (67.1). He fumbled 10 times, tied for ninth-most in the nation.

Why he fits: By the measureables, Thompson-Robinson checks all the boxes with size, hand size and athleticism. He can make plays in rhythm and he can make plays when on the move, which is why one scout said he wouldn’t be stunned if he went early in Day 3. He’s got film with ample throws at various levels; his stats aren’t simply fattened by a zillion receiver screens. He threw a lot of passes over the course of five seasons. In 2022, he set career highs in completion percentage and touchdowns. The career touchdown-to-interception ratio is poor (less than 2-to-1) but it was exactly 3-to-1 during his final two years, so the improvement has been present.

To maximize his talent, he’s going to have to tighten up his mechanics. The deep-ball numbers show the shortcoming in his game. And you just can’t fumble that often.

NFL Draft Bible says: Thompson-Robinson is capable of driving the football over the middle, possessing solid velocity. He hits open targets that are moving over the middle reliably. Displaying recognition skills when kept clean, he identifies mismatches and gets the ball there quickly. Thompson-Robinson struggles under pressure, missing underneath defenders. He puts the ball into dangerous spots trying to throw out of sacks.

Personal touch: To enhance his draft stock, he considered working at multiple positions at UCLA’s pro day. Scouts told him to stick to quarterback.

“If you check over the last two years and really watch the tape, you’ll see there’s a different player than the assumption that’s put out there before I even step on the field,” Thompson-Robinson said at pro day. “I know I wasn’t the best player in my first few years here, and really even in [the COVID-shortened 2020 season]. But I guarantee you that there’s not many players’ films out there that can compete with ours the last two years here.”

He grew on and off the field, absorbing some challenging lessons while on his way to a professional career.

“You’ve got to learn how to be a quarterback. Everybody thinks you just go out there and throw a ball and you ‘lead,’” Thompson-Robinson told The Orange County Register, making air quotes around the word “lead” while talking. “But what’s leading if you don’t know what you’re doing?”

Thompson-Robinson didn’t just grow because of experience or comfort in Chip Kelly’s offense. Rather, it was from lessons learned on the chessboard. “When Dorian’s protecting the king, that’s that same mind-set of when he’s playing football. For him, a turnover is something that, I would say, he takes really, really personally.”

Clayton Tune, Houston

Measureables: 6-foot-2 5/8, 220 pounds, 9 3/8 hand. 4.64 40, 9.80 RAS.

Stats and accolades: A three-year captain and all-American Athletic Conference first-team choice, Tune finished third in the nation with 40 passing touchdowns and fifth with 313.4 passing yards per game. For his career, he set an AAC record with 119 total touchdowns; his 104 passing touchdowns and 119 total touchdowns rank second in Cougars history. Over the final eight games, he threw for 2,873 yards (359.1 per game) with 31 touchdowns. That includes the SMU game in which he threw for 527 yards and ran for another 111.

Analytical stats: Among the 38 draft-eligible quarterbacks who threw at least 30 deep passes (20-plus yards downfield), Tune ranked 11th in completion percentage (42.7), 18th in yards per attempt (13.6) and 14th in passer rating (112.6). He was second with 14 deep touchdowns. Of 40 draft-eligible quarterbacks with at least 90 attempts while under pressure, Tune was No. 32 in completion percentage (41.0), No. 17 in yards per attempt (6.3) and No. 27 in passer rating (58.4). Overall, his catchable-pass rate of 85 percent is No. 6 in the draft class. He fumbled seven times.

Why he fits: Tune has the size and athleticism to be on Green Bay’s draft board, though the hands are a bit on the small side. As a four-year starter with the ability to make things happen on the perimeter, he’s got playmaking ability. His improvement over his final two seasons was striking.

He’s mechanically sound but lacks the big-time arm needed to routinely make NFL throws. As is the case with just about all of the Day 3 quarterback prospects, his game breaks down when the protection breaks down.

NFL Draft Bible says: Tune is a veteran college quarterback who plays with great touch and has a clean release, but he lacks the arm talent to hit every throw and his pocket awareness is shaky. Tune puts touch on his throws at all three levels and often gives his pass catchers opportunities for yards after the catch.

Personal touch: You can’t argue with the numbers. During his first three seasons, he threw 34 touchdowns vs. 21 interceptions. During his final two seasons, he threw 70 touchdowns vs. 20 interceptions.

“He’s developed in three years more than anybody I’ve ever had as far as where he was and where he is now,” offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson told The Houston Chroicle. “Honestly, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a kid go through the ups and downs, he’s been through in three years (since coach Dana Holgorsen arrived) and maintained the outlook that he has maintained.”

Tune’s older brother played quarterback at North Texas. His father was a Motocross racer. Tune is tough physically, having played through most of the 2021 season with hamstring issues, and mentally, having led Houston back from a 19-point deficit in the final 3 minutes against Memphis. He hoped to show he’s more than just a byproduct of the Mike Leach-based offensive system.

“I'm sure there is (a widespread stigma), but I don't really see it that way,” Tune said. “I know there are people out there that may say, ‘Oh, they’re a system quarterback' or this and that, but I don't look at it that way. Not at all.”

Tyson Bagent, Shepherd

Measureables: 6-2 3/4, 213 pounds, 9 1/2 hands. 4.79 40, 8.99 RAS.

Stats and accolades: Bagent won the Harlan Hill Trophy as the best player in Division II in 2021 and was a finalist again in 2022. As a senior, he completed 69.9 percent of his passes for 4,580 yards with 41 touchdowns vs. eight interceptions. No player in the history of college football can match his 159 career touchdown passes, and he’s the all-time Division II leader with 17,034 passing yards and 171 total touchdowns. Sure, that was against Division II opponents. How about against “real” players? During the Senior Bowl game, he completed 17-of-22 for 138 yards.

Analytical stats: None available.

Why he fits: Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy thought Bagent would be a late-round draft pick. He’s big enough and mobile enough to make it in the NFL. He doesn’t have a great arm and he’s not a great athlete but he’s good enough in all areas. He might even have starter potential.

Obviously, there are throws he could make against Division II opponents aren’t going to cut it against the smarter, faster defensive backs in the NFL. Better decision-making and better mechanics will be a necessity.

NFL Draft Bible says: Bagent is from a smaller level of football but he has certain traits that are omnipresent in NFL quarterbacks. His size and arm talent mainly shine, with an ability to shred defenses over the middle field and outside the hashes. His mechanics and decision-making, paired with his Division II will be the concerns as he’s evaluated.

Personal touch: The Senior Bowl gave Bagent the opportunity to show he could play with the big boys.

“I have the repetition. I have the numbers. I was able to put up the type of numbers that thankfully grabbed the attention of scouts around the nation,” he told The Draft Network in December. “People at the highest level respect my game. I’m trying to prove those who know what I’m capable of right. And to those who are talking about the small-school narrative, I’m looking to prove that I’m right on par with any quarterback in this class.”

The prestigious Manning Passing Camp included the likes of Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud and Kentucky’s Will Levis. Bagent was there, too.

“It was great being able to hang out with top caliber quarterbacks, realizing they put on their socks and underwear the same way that I do,” he told Outkick at the Senior Bowl. “The ball spun out my hand just like it did everybody else’s.”

His father is a legendary arm wrestler. “I’m a little closer to Tom Brady than Joe Burrow,” he said. “I still compete in the legend category and do some broadcasting at arm wrestling events. It was a tremendous 20-year run. Now, my son is about to do some great things, as well.”

Tanner McKee, Stanford

Measureables: 6-foot-5 5/8, 231 pounds. 9 3/8 hands. DNP 40, 8.79 RAS.

Stats and accolades: McKee was a two-time all-Pac-12 academics selection. His 2,947 passing yards in 2022 ranks ninth on the Stanford list. He completed 62.0 percent of his passes with 13 touchdowns vs. eight interceptions during his final season.

Analytical stats: Among the 38 draft-eligible quarterbacks who threw at least 30 deep passes (20-plus yards downfield), McKee ranked 25th in completion percentage (38.1), 31st in yards per attempt (11.4) and 19th in passer rating (110.9). Of 40 draft-eligible quarterbacks with at least 90 attempts while under pressure, McKee was No. 31 in completion percentage (41.1), No. 36 in yards per attempt (4.8) and No. 29 in passer rating (56.2). He was the only QB without an under-pressure touchdown; he also didn’t chuck an interception. Overall, his catchable-pass rate of 84 percent is No. 8 in the draft class. He fumbled five times.

Why he fits: McKee is a tall pocket passer who is comfortable in a system that revolves around RPOs and play-action passing. He throws a nice ball and has plenty of arm strength. When he’s got time, his footwork is sharp and the ball is accurate.

The problem is McKee is a pocket passer in a league in which mobility is key. He’s not quite a statue in the pocket but he’s not far from it, either. Packers coach Matt LaFleur’s offense doesn’t require Lamar Jackson-style athleticism, but the bootleg game is key and that’s not McKee’s style. Of his 265 completions in 2022, 206 of them were no deeper than 9 yards downfield. His got a bit of a funky throwing style.

NFL Draft Bible says: McKee displays many of the skills necessary to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. His arm strength stood out. He can effortlessly throw the ball downfield without it fluttering or losing velocity. He is able to lead receivers and hit them in stride, even when he is under pressure. McKee’s velocity is some of the best in the class. There weren’t boneheaded decisions on his film and McKee took what the defense gave him.

Personal touch: Before starting his college career, he served a two-year mission to Brazil. “I want to help everyone understand you can go on a mission and still be successful in your sport,” he told Deseret.com. “So many people think I am crazy for going. I want to show them you don’t have to choose between faith and football. You can do both. I believe I will be a better football player when I return.”

Then-Stanford coach David Shaw wanted McKee to share that experience with his teammates. “You went on a mission for a reason: spiritual, intellectual and just natural growth. I said ‘Let the guys in the locker room feel that. … You’ve been in the world and now you are in a locker room with a bunch of college kids that haven’t been in the world, they went straight from their parents’ house to college.’

“I think that’s what you get from Tanner, a gleaning of being out there in life, getting real life experience and having some gravity to when he talks about.”

Before that, when he was 16, he had surgery on his head after a biopsy found he had melanoma, a dangerous skin cancer. “I had horrible thoughts, honestly,” his father told The San Francisco Chronicle. “What if the surgery is successful but they nick that nerve in his neck? What if that’s the last time he plays football? What are the chances this goes into remission and comes back? There was just so much uncertainty.”

Max Duggan, TCU

Measureables: 6-foot-1 5/8, 207 pounds, 9 7/8 hands. 4.52 40. 7.11 RAS.

Stats and accolades: Duggan was the driving force behind a team that advanced to the national championship game. He was the Big 12 Player of the Year, a second-team All-American and runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. He accounted for 41 touchdowns in 2022. For his career, he ranks third in TCU history with 9,618 passing yards, second with 73 touchdown passes and sixth with 28 touchdown runs.

Analytical stats: Among the 38 draft-eligible quarterbacks who threw at least 30 deep passes (20-plus yards downfield), Duggan was No. 3 in completion percentage (48.1), No. 2 in yards per attempt (17.8) and No. 17 in passer rating (112.1). He was No. 1 with 18 deep touchdowns. That’s more deep touchdowns that several members of this draft class had deep completions, including Fresno State’s Jake Haener, Kentucky’s Will Levis, Stanford’s Tanner McKee and Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell.

For all those deep shots, he also was third in the draft class in passes thrown behind the line. Of 40 draft-eligible quarterbacks with at least 90 attempts while under pressure, Duggan ranked 29th in completion percentage (41.2) but No. 1 in yards per attempt (9.5) and No. 9 in passer rating (82.6). He was 10th in the class with a catchable-pass rate of 82 percent.

Why he fits: Duggan probably is tall enough, and he checks the boxes with hand size and athleticism. It’s the intangibles, though, that will get him in the NFL and keep him there. He’s not the biggest or fastest, and he doesn’t have the strongest arm. But he got it done, repeatedly, in clutch moments. He excelled in TCU’s RPO game; Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur likes RPOs, as well. Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy compared Duggan to Brock Purdy, who went from the 2022 NFL Draft’s Mr. Irrelevant to leading the 49ers into the playoffs.

Lack of arm strength will limit him in the pass game, and limited bulk could lead to trouble if he runs with the ball too often. It’s hard to play the role of gunslinger without the gun. He completed only 69.0 percent of his passes from 0 to 9 yards downfield. Houston’s Clayton Tune, by contrast, was at 83.5 percent.

NFL Draft Bible says: Duggan is comfortable throwing on the run and off-platform. His passes come out with great velocity on short throws, and he puts ideal touch on deep shots. The greatest concerns with Duggan are his erratic ball placement and velocity. He doesn’t show ideal velocity on intermediate and deep throws outside the numbers.

Personal touch: Duggan is from Council Bluffs, Iowa. “You go from picking up hay in the hot July sun to ending up in New York City for the Heisman,” his father, Jim Duggan, told Omaha.com. “I guess you’ve probably come a long way.” Jim is a high school football coach “You just realize everything that you've been around you've learned and taken in without even knowing,” Max Duggan said. “My dad has been a great help of keeping me humble and always telling me to be a hard worker and never think of myself as bigger than the team.”

He had two heart surgeries in 2020, which kept him out for most of the season. “[The surgery] put catheters through my neck and groin,” he said to Texas Monthly. “I had a nine-hour procedure. And then two days later, I had a blood clot from the surgery, so I had to go into emergency surgery right after that. It kind of just puts a stop in your life.”

In the Big 12 title game, he rallied the Horned Frogs from an 11-point deficit in the final 7:34 and rushed for 95 yards on the game-tying drive. He topped 250 passing yards and 100 rushing yards in the game.

“He’s always been a dog,” offensive lineman Wes Harris told reporters. “He’s just a winner, he’s a gamer, and every time you look back there, you feel confident with the guy. … Max, he’s been a leader ever since he stepped on campus; I voted for him [as] team captain the past four years, so that’ll tell you what I think about that guy.”

He compared his style to that of Eagles star Jalen Hurts. “Just looking at what he does, just intangible assets of being a leader, being tough, gritty, playing through adversity and leading a group of men, but also the physical traits,” Duggan said at the Combine. “I think he’s an underrated passer, a pass-first guy that is athletic enough to make plays, whether it’s just a QB-designed run, scramble drills, third-and-short, things like that.”

Aidan O’Connell, Purdue

Measureables: 6-foot-3, 213 pounds, 9 3/4 hands. DNP 40, no RAS.

Stats and accolades: O’Connell had a banner 2021 season with 71.6 percent accuracy, 3,712 yards and 28 touchdowns vs. 11 interceptions to earn second-team all-Big Ten. As a sixth-year senior in 2022, those numbers faded a bit to 64.1 percent, 3,490 yards (down 1.4 yards per attempt) and 22 touchdowns vs. 13 interceptions.

Analytical stats: Among the 38 draft-eligible quarterbacks who threw at least 30 deep passes (20-plus yards downfield), O’Connell ranked 36th in completion percentage (29.6), 34th in yards per attempt (10.1) and 29th in passer rating (86.2). Of 40 draft-eligible quarterbacks with at least 90 attempts while under pressure, O’Connell was No. 17 in completion percentage (46.3), No. 25 in yards per attempt (5.5) and No. 23 in passer rating (63.5). Overall, his catchable-pass rate of 86 percent is No. 3 in the draft class.

Why he fits: O’Connell is an experienced, accurate passer with the size the Packers prefer. Purdue runs a pro-style offense with a steady diet of play-action, so he’ll be more NFL-ready than some prospects who arrive in the pro ranks having never thrown a pass outside of a predetermined read.

However, O’Connell is a subpar athlete who chucked 24 interceptions during his final two seasons. Too often, he got stuck on that first read. The under-pressure and deep-ball production isn’t good enough.

NFL Draft Bible says: A very accurate passer, it seems as though all his throws are right on target and only where his receiver can catch it. Impeccable timing on his passes, you can tell he used his first two seasons focusing on the mental aspect of the game. But, says Sports Info Solutions: His footwork in the pocket is an area of concern, causing throws to be off target and his arm strength to waver as well. He doesn't show great playmaking ability either out of structure, which can lead to some poor decision-making, as well.

Personal touch: O’Connell didn’t start until his senior year of high school. That’s far too late in recruiting circles so he committed to Division III Wheaton. He had a change of heart, though, and took a walk-on opportunity at Purdue.

“Literally, this is what I dreamed about when I would lay my head on a pillow when I was younger,” he told The Chicago Tribune. “I’m extremely lucky to be in this spot. This is even better than I imagined.

“It’s just funny how things have worked for me. I had to wait my turn in high school, just like I did at Purdue. I learned a lot of lessons in high school that prepared me for the challenges and adversity of playing in college.”

O’Connell will turn 25 on Sept. 1. He was a freshman in college when some of his Purdue teammates were eighth-graders. “When you think of it that way, it’s really bad. It makes me feel really old,” he told The Athletic. “I have had a lot of experiences and have been here a long time. But in another very real way, I still feel like I did when I was a freshman. I still feel like a walk-on who needs to prove himself. I try to work just as hard as I did then, knowing that my spot can be taken. I’m two sides of the same coin.”

Before the Big Ten championship game vs. Michigan, O’Connell’s brother died. Michigan fans made a series of $16 donations (his jersey number) in his honor.

Jake Haener, Fresno State

Measureables: 6-foot, 207 pounds. 9 3/8 hands. DNP 40. No RAS.

Stats and accolades: Haener completed 72.0 percent of his passes with 20 touchdowns vs. three interceptions in 10 games in 2022 to earn first-team all-Mountain West. He was interception-free for each of his final six games. He ranks in the top five all-time in every meaningful stat in school history, including 68.1 percent accuracy, 67 touchdowns and 9,013 passing yards. He finished his career with a Mountain West-record 29 consecutive games with a touchdown pass.

Analytical stats: Among the 38 draft-eligible quarterbacks who threw at least 30 deep passes (20-plus yards downfield), Haener ranked ninth in completion percentage (43.6) and yards per attempt (14.8) and 20th in passer rating (108.7). Of 40 draft-eligible quarterbacks with at least 90 attempts while under pressure, Haener was No. 1 in completion percentage (55.1), No. 19 in yards per attempt (6.0) and No. 7 in passer rating (86.2). Overall, his catchable-pass rate of 89 percent is No. 1 in the draft class.

Why he fits: It was a bad group of quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl with six Day 3 prospects on the rosters, but Haener was the best of the bunch. His under-pressure play is an important piece of the evaluation. Showing his toughness and resolve, Haener missed only four games following a broken ankle in 2021. Haener excelled in Fresno State’s RPO-based offense; a lot of Matt LaFleur’s offense is center on run-pass options, as well. His arm isn’t great but it’s good enough.

Lack of height, a small frame and small-ish hands could knock off the board. He is a minimal running threat. When the pressure comes, he sometimes struggles to get out of harm’s way.

NFL Draft Bible says: His best trait is his off-script ability. He does a good job keeping his eyes and excels with ball placement while on the move. Additionally, pocket awareness and mobility are outstanding, which allows him to extend plays and give himself throwing lanes.

Personal touch: Haener wasn’t even the most famous member of his family. His mom, Julie, is a longtime TV news anchor.

Said offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to the Sacramento Bee: “He has a really high bar he sets, and I know I just keep inching that bar up and keep pressing him on (his) preparation. I know he doesn’t want to be good, he wants to be great. He wants to be one of the guys that’s slinging the ball around here at Bulldog Stadium that people remember for a while.”

He is as tough as nails, a point driven home with his come-from-behind victory vs. UCLA in 2021. “Jake knows he's got to get back up because we need him," Fresno State coach Kalen DeBoer said. “I'm not saying that in a way where you're taking it for granted. I'm saying it in a way where he just wills himself to do that. That's the toughness he has and the competitiveness.”

How would he define his game? “I think I'm a precision passer,” he said at the Scouting Combine. “I play with timing, anticipation, I play with accuracy. I know there are some people out there who probably say I don't have the strongest arm. I think my arm is plenty strong to be able to translate to this level, and I just think my process is different than other peoples. I think I take care of my body at an elite level, and I think whatever club I'm lucky enough to go to I will continue that same.”

Jaren Hall, BYU

Measureables: 6-0 1/8, 207 pounds, 9 1/2 hands. 4.64 40. 7.95 RAS.

Stats and accolades: As a junior in 2022, he completed 66 percent of his passes for 3,171 yards with 31 touchdowns vs. six interceptions. He was first-team all-independent. Hall, USC’s Caleb Williams and North Carolina’s Drake Maye were the only FBS-level quarterbacks with 3,000 passing yards, 65.0 percent accuracy, 30 touchdowns, less than 10 interceptions and 300 rushing yards. In his two years as a starter, he threw 51 touchdowns vs. only 11 interceptions.

Analytical stats: Among the 38 draft-eligible quarterbacks who threw at least 30 deep passes (20-plus yards downfield), Hall ranked fourth in completion percentage (46.7), fifth in yards per attempt (15.6) and fifth in passer rating (118.8). Those numbers would have been better without seven drops. Of 40 draft-eligible quarterbacks with at least 90 attempts while under pressure, Hall was No. 38 in completion percentage (33.3), No. 35 in yards per attempt (5.1) and No. 35 in passer rating (41.6). Overall, his catchable-pass rate of 86 percent is No. 4 in the draft class. He was guilty of six fumbles.

Why he fits: Hall has a few things working in his favor. One is his ability to complete passes down the field. It’s touch more than arm strength but it works. Two is his ability to make things happen on the perimeter, whether it’s scrambling for yards or extending plays. Third, just look at the touchdowns vs interceptions. That’s winning football.

However, he might be too short for the Packers’ tastes. His under-pressure performance was alarming. Basketball legend John Wooden liked to say, “Be quick but don’t hurry.” When Hall has to be quick, he hurries. He turned 25 on March 24, making him older than Jordan Love.

NFL Draft Bible says: Hall’s leadership is legendary among his teammates and coaches. He lives up to his age as a mature prospect, on and off the field, who carries the torch for BYU through thick and thin. Very few quarterbacks in the 2023 class can match Hall’s ability to extend plays and create something from nothing.

Personal touch: Hall has the athletic DNA; his father, Kalin Hall, played running back at BYU and his mom was a BYU gymnast.

“Now, sports have always been, obviously, a big factor in our household,” Hall told The Salt Lake Tribune. “So, when me and my siblings started pursuing that, they just expected us to work hard — to be our best selves at all times.” Of football, he said, “I saw what it did for my dad in his life, meeting his wife here at BYU. I always figured that it would kind of do the same for me.”

Hall was a two-sport player for one year at BYU but gave up baseball so he could focus on the pursuit of replacing Zach Wilson.

“Baseball has been great to me all my life,” Hall told The Salt Lake Tribune. “I love the game; I’ve thrived in it. I’m not ready to put anything away and put a halt to it because you never know down the road. For now, I’ll focus on football and we’ll see where that goes.”

In 2019, he became the first black starting quarterback in BYU history.

“I just want to be the best example I can be of hard work and being a respectful young man to coaches and players,” Hall said. “Just trying to do everything the right way. I’m not perfect, but hopefully I can send a message of love. When you fall in love with the game, you can allow it to change your life for good.”