When people look at Mississippi State QB Nick Fitzgerald, one of the big things that stands out is his rushing numbers.

In three years in Starkville (two as a full-time starter), Fitzgerald has run for 2,486 yards and 33 touchdowns.

However, if he wants to make it in the NFL, he’ll have to develop as a passer, too. Fitzgerald attended the Manning Passing Academy over the weekend, working with some of the nation’s top quarterbacks.

QBCountry.com founder David Morris was there, and he caught up with 247Sports reporter Travis Reier. To Morris, Fitzgerald’s passing abilities remind him a lot of former Vanderbilt and Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler:

“I think he’s got a future in the NFL,” Morris said. “I don’t like projecting where he might end up going in the draft, but he’s tough, he’s competitive and he’s going to be under Joe Moorhead this year who is going to take more down the field shots. I think Nick is excited about that.

“To me, he’s almost like a poor man’s Jay Cutler in that regard. He’s not as strong as a Jay Cutler, but as far as makeup and competitiveness goes, he’s got all that stuff. I think the SEC this year is going to have the best crop of quarterbacks that I can remember. It’s loaded and all the guys who were [at MPA] were super impressive.”

Now, it’s up to Fitzgerald to prove he’s developed as a passer on the field this fall. Having Joe Moorhead as his new head coach should only help his development after working with noted QB guru Dan Mullen at the start of his career.