Graham Harrell Scouting Report

After redshirting, Graham Harrell saw a few snaps as a redshirt freshman. In his limited opportunities, he threw for 422 yards and three touchdowns. In 2006 as a sophomore, Harrell stepped into the starting role and completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 4,555 yards and 38 touchdowns. In 2007 Harrell got even better, completing nearly 72 percent of his attempts for 5,705 yards and 48 touchdowns. The only problem during his sophomore and junior campaigns was his 25 interceptions. Harrell took care of that little problem during his senior campaign. Through 11 games so far in 2008, he has thrown just six picks. His completion percentage is down a little bit and so is his yardage, but Harrell has emerged as an efficient quarterback. Harrell is garnering more attention from NFL scouts compared to earlier Texas Tech quarterbacks because of his size and the team's success. Harrell is 6-3 and has a strong enough arm to be a solid signal caller in the NFL. His predecessors would put up similar numbers in the Red Raiders high powered throwing offense, but Harrell is different because of his size and arm strength. The other difference is Texas Tech's success this season. The defense is actually good and that has led to a very successful season for the Raiders and has kept Harrell in the headlines. Harrell should not be a first round draft pick, but he could slide up into the second round if he has a good combine. The idea that any quarterback coming out of Tech is a system quarterback is his biggest obstacle, but somebody will want to take a chance on him in the second or third round. 12/17 Update: Harrell may have gotten snubbed by not getting invited to the Heisman Trophy presentation, but he did win the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which is given to the nation's top senior quarterback. On the year the senior signal caller threw for 4,747 yards, 41 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. The final numbers do not change his draft status. Harrell is a likely third round selection with the possibility of sneaking up into the second round. 3/24 Update: Despite Texas Tech coach Mike Leach's best efforts, Harrell will be a second day selection during the NFL Draft. Harrell struggled with some of the position drills during the combine and most teams are not willing to take a chance on him. If a team wants to use a fourth round pick on a quarterback, they at least want somebody who has experience in an NFL style system and can be a third stringer for a while. Harrell does not have that experience and he could even go undrafted.