Khalil Tate has 11th-best pro potential among college QBs, per NFL.com

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein isn’t too high on Tate’s NFL future

After a sensational sophomore season, Khalil Tate is expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in college football in 2018.

Now a junior, Tate is NFL Draft eligible, so this could be his last season with the Arizona Wildcats if he has another strong year. But how do scouts view his NFL potential right now?

Lance Zierlein from NFL.com ranked the top college quarterbacks according to their NFL potential, and Tate checked in at No. 11.

In other words, Zierlien isn’t too impressed:

It didn’t take much tape study to realize how misleading Tate’s 62 percent completion rate was in 2017. There were simply too many bad misses by wide margins on throws he has to be able to make. On the other hand, Tate was a terror with his feet, as evidenced by his 26 rushes of 25-plus yards in 2017. Tate had just 180 more yards passing than he did rushing last season and most of the scouts I’ve spoken with see him as a receiver at the next level due to his outstanding combination of size and speed. However, I want to see how much Tate can improve as a passer under Kevin Sumlin before I consider him as a non-quarterback. If Tate makes the same kind of jump as a passer that Lamar Jackson did from 2015 to 2016, look out!

Tate being this low isn’t that surprising. While he was extremely explosive and efficient last year, his style of play isn’t conducive to the NFL game since he ran nearly as much as he passed.

But Tate does have all the physical tools needed to succeed at the pro level, so it’s just a matter of fine tuning them. Keep in mind that he is only 19 years old.

Johnny Manziel, also a dual-threat quarterback, blossomed into a first-round prospect under Kevin Sumlin, so it will be interesting to see what he can do with Tate. Tate only averaged about 16 pass attempts per game last season and could benefit from more leeway in the passing game.

No matter, Tate’s pro potential shouldn’t be a concern for the Wildcats. Their No. 1 priority should be putting him in position to win games. While Tate’s game might not be loved by NFL personnel, it sure has been effective in the college ranks.

Former Arizona commit Shea Patterson, who now plays at Michigan, is No. 10 on Zierlein’s list. Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert is No. 1.

Zierlein’s entire list can be found here.

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