Evaluating Marcus Mariota’s 2015 NFL Draft Stock After Week 12
By Chipper Bounds
@iCAB_Sports
Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
The player who is currently the Heisman trophy frontrunner, and projected by many to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, may not even declare for the draft at the end of this season.
University of Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota was already projected as one of the better quarterbacks in college football at the end of last season. Fast forward to today and the 21-year-old redshirt junior looks to be on his way to a Heisman trophy and perhaps an NCAA Championship.
Through 10 games this season, Mariota and the Oregon Ducks are 9-1; their only loss coming against a tough Arizona Wildcats team. Even with the loss, the Ducks are ranked No. 2 in the BCS Rankings and are likely to move up to No. 1 given Mississippi State’s loss and Florida State’s close win against Miami.
One of the many impressive things about Mariota is that he possesses an ability to beat defenses with both his arm and his legs. For the season, Mariota has thrown for 2,780 yards and 29 touchdowns, while completing 67 percent of his passes and throwing just two interceptions; on the ground, Mariota has added 524 yards, eight touchdowns and a receiving touchdown as well.
The Ducks did not play this past Saturday, but in their last game on Nov. 8, Mariota had arguably his worst passing game statistically. Mariota completed just 58 percent of his passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns. He made up for his poor passing game by rushing for 114 yards and a touchdown en route to a 51-27 win on the road against Utah.
That win should propel the Oregon Ducks to the No. 1 spot in the BCS rankings and keep Mariota entrenched as the favorite to win the Heisman trophy.
NFL Draft Stock: Steady
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