Sabin: Why Cowboys, other NFL teams are eyeing North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz

boozeman

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Tony Romo's heir? Sabin: Why Cowboys, other NFL teams are eyeing North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz



By Rainer Sabin , Staff Writer Contact Rainer Sabin on Twitter: @RainerSabinDMN


FRISCO -- Some of the intrigue surrounding Carson Wentz was extinguished shortly after 3 p.m. Friday.

That's when North Dakota State coach Chris Kleiman announced the quarterback would play Saturday in the FCS championship game against Jacksonville State. Up until that exact moment, many wondered if Wentz would ever see the field again in his college career. Since October, he'd been out of action, waiting for a broken right wrist to heal. Then came Monday, when the results of a CT scan gave him the medical clearance he was seeking.

"This week has been a whirlwind, realizing I'm going to get a chance to start one more time," Wentz, a senior, said. "A lot of emotions. I'm excited to get one more opportunity with these guys."

Then, many figure, it's on to the NFL.

Yes, Wentz's football life won't die on the Frisco plains. He's generating buzz as a potential first- or second-round draft pick. Standing 6-6 and weighing 235 pounds, Wentz certainly looks the part, and the stats he's produced suggest he's worthy of being considered among the top quarterback prospects. This season he's thrown 16 touchdown passes and only two interceptions -- tantalizing numbers that have caught the eye of NFL scouts. All 32 teams have sent representatives to Fargo to find out more about Wentz, who is revered by his teammates.

"He's never left anything on the field," receiver Nate Moody said. "The big fear I had and some people shared it was that maybe Carson would get frustrated just because he's playing a step faster than everyone here. He's a hell of a player."

Before he was hurt, Wentz commanded the Bison's Pro-Style offense -- showing precision when throwing the ball, athleticism when he abandoned the pocket to scramble and smarts when making checks at the line of scrimmage as he picked between the two plays he's routinely given.

"He's got a lot of free reign," said wideout Zach Vraa. "He's got a powerful arm. He can run. He can read defenses. He's got everything that you want in a quarterback and he definitely shows it when he's out here."

In 2014, while leading North Dakota State to its fourth straight NCAA title, Wentz established single-season school records for completions, passing yards and total offense. Last month, he was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America team for the second straight year. In almost every aspect, Wentz seems to be tailor-made for the pro game, as his teammates are quick to proclaim.

"You can definitely tell that when you're out there playing with him," Vraa said. "In games and even in practice, I will be running a route like a comeback or curl, and as soon as I turn around the ball is halfway there and I have to jerk my head back a little because it's coming in so hot... Really showed us he has potential to keep playing."

But is Wentz truly the real deal? No one knows for certain. This weekend, the Cowboys will send a scout to the FCS title game as they begin the process of answering that question. Armed with the No. 4 overall selection, they appear to be in the market for a quarterback after the fiasco that unfolded in wake of the two collarbone injuries suffered by Tony Romo. Wentz's take?

"I'm focused on the game," he said with a smile.

The Cowboys will be, too. On Saturday and in the months that follow, they and other NFL teams will try to ascertain whether Wentz can make the considerable leap from lower division college football to the sport's highest level.

"He has obviously the stature, the athleticism, the competitive temperament to be a good pro," said former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer. "The unknown with him is if you put him against better completion in a more sophisticated offense, what's the learning curve? I have no doubt he will be able to do it. But how long will it take?"

It's a transition that is difficult to project but not impossible to make. Both Romo and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco starred at the FCS level and have excelled in the NFL. Dilfer has a feeling Wentz could follow in their footsteps. Last July, Wentz joined Clemson's Deshaun Watson and Penn State's Christian Hackenberg as part of a group of eight counselors at Dilfer's Elite 11 quarterback camp in Oregon. His appearance there offered the first true sign he could be destined for something much greater.

"He is a big, physical competitive, smart kid," Dilfer said. "He has everything you're looking for. I am excited about him. I would definitely be interested in him if I was choosing a quarterback."

Apparently, Dilfer is not alone in that opinion. It's why the intrigue surrounding Wentz is expected to last well beyond this weekend, even as one mystery about the North Dakota State quarterback was put to bed Friday.
 

Simpleton

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Before he was hurt, Wentz commanded the Bison's Pro-Style offense -- showing precision when throwing the ball, athleticism when he abandoned the pocket to scramble and smarts when making checks at the line of scrimmage as he picked between the two plays he's routinely given.
This part stands out to me, I knew most of the rest but knowing that he is given two plays to choose from at the LOS and making checks in a relatively NFL-style offense is a big thing that I don't think Lynch and Goff do.
 

boozeman

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This part stands out to me, I knew most of the rest but knowing that he is given two plays to choose from at the LOS and making checks in a relatively NFL-style offense is a big thing that I don't think Lynch and Goff do.
Lynch especially.
 

Stars

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Wentz looks pretty impressive today. This is my first time seeing him. Looks good in several facets of his game.
 

boozeman

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Well...emmm....~lipsmack~...we just felt that...emm...we. ..uh...improved our footing...~lipsmack~...with a veteran that already...emm...afforded us the chance to take the best player...~salesman wink~...our scouts had Jalen right up there. Then, yes, we had identified a younger player, that...uhh...we felt it was too rich. As for our remaining picks, we...~lipsmack ~...just didn't have that eppertunity.
 

VA Cowboy

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I like what I've seen from him so far. Has the size, arm strength and appears to accurate and mobile. I'd rather take Wentz than use the 4th pick on Goff or Lynch.

Problem will be how to get him. He isn't going to be there in the 2nd. I wouldn't take him 4th. Would have to trade down or up from the 2nd. Both would be tricky though because I think it'll be difficult to move down from 4 and even if did manage a trade you risk moving down too far. If Cleveland takes a QB #2 then a team trading up to #4 would probably be after the other QB. That'd leave Wentz as the best available QB left. All a team wanting him would need to do is trade up above the spot we ended up at. Right now teams interested in QB besides us are the Browns, 49ers and also the Saints, Eagles and Rams drafting in the 12-15 range. And a move up from 2nd into the early to mid teens would be very costly. Could cost as much as a future 1st or at least 2-3 day two picks.
 

GForce78NJ

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Paxton Lynch could potentially have an Aaron Rodgers/Brady Quinn type of drop
 

Clff15701

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If we get Lynch I would be thrilled. All the tools and prob the better prospect long term.
 

Cowboysrock55

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I haven't really decided which QB I like most yet. I've been really impressed by Lynch, Wentz and Goff all at different times. Honestly right now I'd love any of the 3 but I'm sure as the draft comes I will develop a favorite.
 

Clff15701

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I just think a 1st round qb should be able to throw for more than 200 yards against Jacksonville state. Not only that but he had 2 picks. There were a lot of throws that were off.
 

NoDak

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I just think a 1st round qb should be able to throw for more than 200 yards against Jacksonville state. Not only that but he had 2 picks. There were a lot of throws that were off.
His yardage totals are meaningless. Would you rather a guy follow the game plan and take what is given while kicking the shit out of the #1 team in the championship game, or a guy that throws for 400 yards while playing catchup? And his two INTs? The first was on a deep bomb at the end of the half with less than 30 seconds left and it was 3rd and 10. Big deal. The second was on a tipped ball. It happens. If you don't want to draft a guy because of an INT thrown, guess there is nobody that will make you happy. And if you think there were A LOT of his throws that were off, I don't know what to tell you except you might want to get your eyes checked. Most of his throws were right on the money, and he was putting some in very tight windows. As was mentioned by others here today.

Oh well, either way...

Carson MF'n Wentz and the FIVE TIME DEFENDING CHAMPION NDSU BISON!!

:rock :towel :towel :towel :fistpump :fistpump :towel :towel :towel :rock
 
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