Graham Harrell, QB, Texas Tech

Name: Graham Harrell
Position: Quarterback
School: Texas Tech
Height: 6020 E
Weight: 216V
40 Time: 4.75 E

Athleticism: 6.0
Graham is about as athletic as you’d expect from an NFL quarterback. He rarely scrambles, but when he does he demonstrate enough speed to move the chains if a defense isn’t in position to stop him. His throwing motion, on the rare occasions he throws off his front feet, show good balance and knee bend, but he rarely showcases that as he makes a lot of throws off his back foot.
Quickness: 6.5
Balance: 6.0
Fluidity: 6.0

Physical Talents: 5.5
This grade may seem harsh, but when trying to figure out where Harrell’s physical talents would rate compared to other quarterbacks, the only starter who I would argue has less talent is Drew Brees. Obviously, as Brees shows, this doesn’t mean he can’t be a great quarterback, but his mediocre height, complete lack of explosion, and small frame make him pale in comparison to NFL starters.
Body Type: 5.5
Strength: 5.5
Explosion: 5.0

Polish: 6.0
Graham Harrell is a very smart young man, but that only sometimes translates to the field. He has a good feel for the game, using some decent footwork to avoid pressure and buy time. He also seems to understand where his receivers are at all time, and I believe he will learn an NFL playbook quickly. However, Harrell does not make his reads quickly and is prone to holding onto the ball for a long time, which will bite him in the NFL. He also makes a ton of throws off his back foot, which is deadly when combined with his mediocre arm strength.
Understands Playbook: 7.0
Proper Technique: 5.5
Instincts: 6.5

Competitiveness: 6.5
For as much as I’d heard about Harrell’s heart, I was a little surprised that nothing jumped out at me. He’s tough enough, taking big hits to make throws, he’s quite consistent, gives top effort (looks to make a play even when it leaves him open to hits), and can make some clutch plays, but nothing wowed me. This is an area where you expect quarterbacks to score high, especially less-talented ones like Harrell.
Toughness: 6.0
Consistency: 6.5
Clutch Play: 6.5
Effort: 6.5

Football Character: 7.0 Sure, his technique needs work, but he’s definitely a hard worker who studies film and the playbook.
Personal Character: 6.5 Very smart kid, no blemishes.
Durability: 6.5 No real injury issues that I’m aware of, but his slight frame makes them possible as he transitions to the NFL.

Release: 5.0 Release is quick, but too often he throws off his back foot. When he throws balanced, he releases the ball pretty low in a 3/4ths motion much of the time.
Dropback: 5.0 Harrell will need to learn to drop back, as his only DB passes involved PA.
Arm Strength: 5.5 Not a lot of zip, but may have enough if he improves the rest of his game.
3rd Down Conversions: 6.0 For as good as TT was at converting 3^rd down, most of that goes to the RBs and WRs, as Harrell was nothing special on 3^rd downs. Good, not great.
Short Accuracy in Pocket 7.0 Has bad mechanics, but has done a good job completely short passes over the course of his career.
Long Accuracy in Pocket: 7.0 His deep ball is a bomb, but the rare times (about once a game) he threw over 26 yards, he completed it. (4/5 with 1 dropped TD pass).
Accuracy while moving: 7.0 Only threw shorter passes on the move, but due to Harrell’s familiarity with bad throwing mechanics, he’s accurate on the move.
Big Plays: 5.5 When he makes a big play, it’s due to the WR, not Harrell. Rarely throws more than ten yards downfield. Does a good job finding guys in a position to make the big play, but does not create them like some QBs.
Poise in Pocket: 6.5 Holds onto the ball for a long amount of time, which will need to change, but does a good job with his footwork to escape pressure.
Escapes from Pocket: 6.0 Does a good job flushing out, and has enough speed to get to the sideline while looking to throw.
Leadership: 6.5 Not a rah-rah type from what I saw, but is a leader and provides fire and ice as needed.
Reading Defenses: 6.5 He’s not at 6.5 yet, but I believe he will get there quickly. Occasionally looks right through a defender and suffers because of it, but takes good care of the football. Doesn’t make reads quickly, but does make them.
Big Errors: 6.5 Sometimes doesn’t see the defender, but usually plays fairly error-free.

Summary: Harrell is the type of quarterback I typically love, like Colt Brennan from a real conference. However, when I scouted him closely I notice a lot of flaws he will need to work on. He holds onto the ball forever, has no experience dropping back (indeed, on his PA passes he set up under center awkwardly), lacks a big arm (not a huge problem), has bad throwing mechanics (big problem), isn’t big (not so big a problem if he develops an over-the-top release), and can only throw one type of deep pass (bomb). While those passes exist in the NFL, rarely does a WR get 1v1 coverage against a corner with no possibility of safety help, which is the only coverage Harrell can throw against. He brings smarts and the potential for accuracy, as well as decent leadership credentials and good pocket awareness, but there is so much work needed for him to be a starter. For that reason, I give him a backup QB grade, as I can’t imagine him becoming a decent starter before his rookie contract expires.

Final Grade: 5.8

Note: It is possible I will scout more TT games, though I can’t think of compelling reason right now, and for that reason I reserve the right to change this grade.

Games Scouted: Baylor, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas