Will He Or Won't He? Landry Jones' NFL Draft Prospectus

by ccmachine on Dec 14, 2011 5:08 PM CST in Oklahoma Sooners Football

The identity of the 2012 Sooner offense rest squarely on two major factors. First, the play calling of offensive coordinator Josh Heupel and secondly the decision of Landry Jones to return for his senior year or to forgo college football for a spot on an NFL roster. At 6-4/229, Jones has the size and arm strength for the NFL and with over 12,000 passing yards and 92 touchdowns over the last three seasons he has also built an NFL resume. However, those aren't the kind of intangibles that may affect his decision.

Even with ending the season by losing two of his final three games ESPN's Mel Kiper still has Jones at #14 on his latest Big Board Rankings.

I still like the way he's battled so far in 2011, but he has some interceptions and has made some odd decisions. Accuracy is still very good. Good size, strong arm but needs to improve footwork. - Mel Kiper

There's no doubt that Jones' performances since losing Ryan Broyles has caused his draft status to drop and sure he could benefit from another year in the college ranks but he's still widely considered as a first rounder and that equates to a lot of dollars. Jones is still in Scouts Inc's Top 32 NFL Draft Prospects at #16.

Top Quarterback Prospects For The 2012 NFL Draft

Player	HT	WT	School	QB Rank	Overall Draft Rank
Andrew Luck	6-4	235	Stanford	1	1
Matt Barkley	6-2	220	USC	2	6
Robert Griffin III	6-1	218	Baylor	3	12
Landry Jones	6-4	230	OU	4	16

The key factor in Jones' decision to declare for the draft or to stay enrolled at OU is Whitney Hand who is a junior guard on the women's basketball team. Jones and Hand were engaged last summer and will wed this summer. Does that mean the LJ will stay in Norman one more year to be with his wife? It sure could. Logic says to take the money and support your wife with a lavish lifestyle from the get go. However, that doesn't appeal to Jones or to Hand. Both of them are strong in their faith and both of them have aspirations much bigger than athletics. However, if Jones decides to stay in school he may be passing up a golden opportunity that won't be there next year.

NFL Teams Needing A QB

Team	Projected Draft Position
Colts	1st
Redskins	5th
Dolphins	8th
Seahawks	12th

Todd McShay has Jones at #18 in his Top 32 and despite his slide over the last month there's nothing to lead you to believe he won't be a first rounder. Currently there are at least four NFL teams (Colts, Redskins, Dolphins, Seahawks) looking for their next franchise quarterback and if the Kansas City Chiefs decide to part ways with Matt Cassel then it could be five. That trend may not continue into next season which could make this year a special year for quarterbacks in the draft. Will that affect Landry's decision? Who knows. I guess we're going to have to wait it out and see.

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He should go

I bet Barkley stays, and Griffin might. That would put him at the #2 or #3 QB prospect. He should leave now while now his stock is lowered before it free falls next season.

by soonercowboy14 on Dec 14, 2011 6:18 PM CST reply actions

I hope he goes

I doubt Barkley or Griffin stay but I still think he should go. IF he stays and doesn’t make significant improvements he will really hurt his draft stock, and like cc said next year may not be all that great as far as teams needing qb’s the way they do now.

"I feel sorry for peple who don't drink, when they wake up in the morning thats as good as they are gonna feel all day long." Frank Sinatra

by pitbull17 on Dec 14, 2011 7:10 PM CST up reply actions

Leave now while his reputation is intact as far as the NFL goes

For a 6’4" 230lb QB he sure acts like a wuss in the pocket.

Good size, strong arm but needs to improve footwork. – Mel Kiper

Old Mel Kiper must be going blind, Landry has the Happiest Feet in all of CFB, the dude can dance up a storm. Now That’s a joke boys, that’s a joke.

I really and truly want him to try the NFL and get Bell or someone else ready for next year. We need a physical and vocal leader to move this offense to the next level. I actually think the offense dropped back a level thus year under LJ’s and Heupel’s lack of leadership.

If you want attitude changes in the offensive players it starts at the QB position. Nowhere else.

The one thing being a lot older has going for it, most of us older have seen more CFB than most younger people have seen web pages.

by scarab on Dec 14, 2011 9:06 PM CST reply actions

Last sentence is sooooo true

by OU JJ on Dec 14, 2011 10:36 PM CST up reply actions

Yes, yes, yes!

by SCKSChief on Dec 15, 2011 6:46 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Not a Mel fan, but he was being kind

LJ’s footwork is average at best (and now I am being generous – Merry Xmas), and atrocious when he gets a whiff of pressure.

LJ has a well above average arm, yet he consistently under-threw the deep ball this year. Just look at the footwork…

seriously…..when was the last time you went to Ames? ever?

by PA Sooner 95 on Dec 15, 2011 7:30 AM CST up reply actions

As A Sooner Fan I would Like to See Him GO

Only because he got exposed badly after broyles went down. Its obvious now that he is a system quarterback and he will most likely be a flop in the NFL not because he doesn’t have the physical tools but because he doesnt have the mental toughness. And its not only landry ,its my opinion that Kenny Stills got exposed too, I think everyone put so much faith in him that he was going to be the next GUY but he was never able to step up , its still too early to tell but I think he is going to be one of those players that has the physical abilities to be explosive but cant do it. I honestly think Jaz is going to be the next number one receiver if he stops breaking team rules that is.

by aquariuslove on Dec 14, 2011 9:12 PM CST reply actions

One more thing

Keeping him might hurt our chances at keeping our other quarterbacks especially Drew Allen specifically. I do think the Belldozer is the future but We haven’t seen him pass that much and don’t know if he can get the job done in the pass happy big 12.

by aquariuslove on Dec 14, 2011 9:15 PM CST up reply actions

Last I looked drew Allen was still the #2 QB and seems to be rather confident in the way he carries himself.

Stills is a diva and seems to be of the Jeff Fuller / Roy Williams ( the Texass WR ) variety. We found out robin is not much without batman when Broyles got hurt.

"Are you gonna do something or just stand there and bleed?"

by blaster1371 on Dec 14, 2011 9:40 PM CST reply actions

Excellent point

Of course broyles had a year to redshirt & earn trust, with leaders like manny & Joaquin to show work ethic. Stills has potential.

by OU JJ on Dec 14, 2011 10:36 PM CST up reply actions

Football is a cruel mistress

I fear he’ll stay.

by SCKSChief on Dec 15, 2011 6:47 AM CST via mobile reply actions

What if the Chiefs

drafted him…football is a cruel mistress

"Nonsense. By all means, move." Doc Holliday, the movie Tombstone.

by kcsoonerfan on Dec 15, 2011 9:25 PM CST up reply actions

They draft him

And hello Green Bay.

by SCKSChief on Dec 15, 2011 10:46 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Green Bay returns your friendly salutation

Rumor has it that Texas is about to sign a huge corporate sponsorship deal for the Longhorn Network. They just have to decide which brand represents them best: Dyson, Eureka or Hoover.

by It'sTheVoice on Dec 16, 2011 7:30 AM CST up reply actions

Count me among those hoping LJ will stay

He’ll have another offseason to work on his footwork. And he’ll have a more mature complete receiving corps next year, rather than just RB as a safety blanket. Here’s hoping, anyway.

by ClarkusKentus on Dec 15, 2011 9:07 AM CST reply actions

Here's hoping Whaley's ankle comes back A-OK as well.

seriously…..when was the last time you went to Ames? ever?

by PA Sooner 95 on Dec 15, 2011 10:49 AM CST up reply actions

Aeros other had a song bout this

Dream On

The one thing being a lot older has going for it, most of us older have seen more CFB than most younger people have seen web pages.

by scarab on Dec 16, 2011 11:35 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

With these WRs we having coming in

even without DGB, I think LJ gives us our best chance to win. whether he stays or goes, my concerns are with the D. two new DEs and almost a complete overhaul in the secondary. hurst stays, and maybe TJ goes back a REAL SAFETY.

I like harris as a potential difference maker as freshman, and I REALLY HOPE gerald bowman decides to join his buddy

@THEREALALLENOU on twitter - "The man, the verb, the legend" OU'd

by AllenOU on Dec 15, 2011 11:38 AM CST reply actions

If I'm a WR, I'm very aware of who just set the NCAA record for receptions,

and I’m saying, I want to play in that system and with the qb that was making that record possible.

by soonermusic on Dec 15, 2011 11:58 AM CST up reply actions

Landry's prospects at OU are clearly not improving

He needs to move on.

"Gentlemen we must all hang together, or assuredly we will all hang separately."
Benjamin Franklin

by leatherneck1061 on Dec 15, 2011 2:04 PM CST reply actions

couldnt disagree more

he had a couple bad games, and this team was injured ALL AROUND.

@THEREALALLENOU on twitter - "The man, the verb, the legend" OU'd

by AllenOU on Dec 15, 2011 2:55 PM CST up reply actions

I think LJ is a great QB

Don’t forget, this is a team game.

I thought the O-line did a pretty good job last year protecting the QB

I do think Broyles getting hurt, hurt LJ more than anyone else.

Too many injuries last year to key people. We went from world beaters to very beatable. Who would’a thunk it?

Next year is next year — clean slate.

mjc

by quidveritas on Dec 15, 2011 3:44 PM CST reply actions

Do we know for certain

that his engagement to Whitney Hand is likely to keep him on campus? Maybe the prospect of getting married and beginning a family will encourage him to get the guaranteed pro contract in case he gets injured. A lot of players undoubtedly have girlfriends and fiancees on campus and they still make the jump to the NFL, I would think. You may be right, of course, I’m just not sure it’s a foregone conclusion that his engagement necessitates that he stay at OU for his senior year.

by chuckb on Dec 15, 2011 8:11 PM CST reply actions

No, we do not

At this point we don’t actually “know” anything. I think the prevailing thought has to be he comes back b/c he didn’t have a great year and would likely be the 4th QB taken in the draft (depending on who else comes out of course) which could have him dropping into the 2nd round. Which if true, you can guarantee Stoops would be encouraging him to come back.

2011 for #12 - You will be missed

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by Jordan Esco on Dec 16, 2011 7:04 AM CST up reply actions

I'm not a huge fan of Landry Jones

but……IF he comes back, he is a better then average QB (1st round draft pick). He will also be a Senior. And Senior QBs tend to win games. I worry about the talent we have coming back next year around him, but I’m starting to thing a Landry Jones led team would be ok, looking around the Big 9 next year.

National Championship? No…Big 9 Championship….well yeah, we only have to beat 8 other teams, and UT looks to be the best of the lot and OU/Texas game usually is won by the team with the most experienced QB……see Landry Jones.

by Redhawk on Dec 15, 2011 9:19 PM CST reply actions