Can Jake Coker be a better pro than college quarterback? One scout thinks so
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Jake Coker is the starting quarterback for the top program in the country’s best conference.
However, that hasn’t translated into success for Crimson Tide quarterbacks at the next level. As FOX Sports radio host Colin Cowherd not-so-eloquently pointed out, Alabama QBs are 0-13 in the NFL since 1987.
Still, that history doesn’t faze one pro scout, who thinks Coker will be even better as a pro than his solid 2015 campaign at the collegiate level has shown.
“He has size and a pro arm,” an anonymous NFL scout told NFL.com. “I think he can be a better pro than college quarterback.”
The 6-foot-4 senior has completed 65.7 percent of his passes (2nd-best in the SEC) for 2,489 yards, 17 touchdowns and 8 interceptions this season.
Coker is one of six Alabama players who will play in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 30 along with running back Kenyan Drake, center Ryan Kelly, defensive lineman Jarran Reed, linebacker Reggie Ragland and cornerback Cyrus Jones.
Coker’s selection to participate in Mobile had a few people scratching their heads at Senior Bowl director Phil Savage, who is part of the Crimson Tide Radio Network broadcast team.
However, that same scout supported Savage’s decision because he believes Coker has attracted enough attention from NFL management.
“Phil is going to take a lot of heat for choosing Coker as a homer pick for a Senior Bowl spot at quarterback, but he’s going to get drafted,” the scout said.
Born and raised in Gainesville, Talal joined SDS in 2015 after spending 2 years in Bristol as an ESPN researcher. Previously, Talal worked at The Gainesville Sun.
