Another Draft, another reason why the spread offense will ruin any quarterback’s chances of being drafted, or enjoy success in the NFL.

Sure, there have been a number of dual threat quarterbacks drafted in recent years. But they have all eventually lost the starting job, or simply proven what everyone already knows, run first-throw second quarterbacks just can’t succeed in the pros.

Try Vince Young for a minute. He was drafted after a stunning Rose Bowl upset of USC but eventually lost the starting job to a pro-style quarterback, Kerry Collins from Penn State.

Then there’s Troy Smith. Anyone remember him? Yea, neither did anyone at the 2007 NFL draft until the 5th round when the Ravens picked him up. For a Heisman winning quarterback, that’s quite a drop. Now he’s backing up Joe Flacco and has attempted a total of 4 passing attempts, as opposed to 9 rushing attempts. Basically a glorified running back.

Even Penn State dual threat quarterback Michael Robinson ended up in San Francisco, but as a running back.

The two quarterbacks that fit the “dual threat” category who have enjoyed any sort of success, Michael Vick (Virginia Tech) and Donovan McNabb (Syracuse) have only done so by fulfilling the pro-style quarterback role.

Donovan’s 38 rushing attempts last season is a dramatic drop from his 86 attempts in 2000. And Michael Vick, well, he’s got other things to worry about.

The track record is clear and the league is beginning to catch on.

This past draft featured a mediocre quarterback class, several of which played in a run first-pass second offense in college.

The most talented dual threat quarterback on that list, Pat White was drafted with the clear intention of being utilized as a glorified WR/RB/trick play QB in the Dophin’s Wildcat formations. What team in their right mind would draft a franchise quarterback as prone to being hit and thus injured as a running back?

The same can be said of Julian Edelman, and Nate Davis in the pros.

With the proliferation of the spread offense within the college ranks, this can only be a major boost to the programs still running a typical or pro-style offense.

There is no denying that a spread em out offensive in college is highly successful and exciting. But high school prospects have to wonder if it is worth destroying any hope of playing under center in the pros.

Both Michigan and Illinois have converted to this “run first – throw second” offense.

“When Coach [Lloyd] Carr retired I wanted to transfer,” Threet said. “But I took Coach [Rich] Rodriguez at his word about the offense. I tried to stick it out. I tried to help Michigan win. But in the end the offense didn’t fit me. They have a run first offense at every position. What they want is Pat White and that’s not me.” – Steven Threet

And as the trend of quarterbacks in such systems failing on Draft day and league continues, high school prospects may have to consider that they are actually being under-developed by embracing this offense.

So when the next time someone next to you at Beaver Stadium curses out the coaches for forcing Daryll Clark to throw first then run turning what could have been a 20 yard scamper into a 10 yard gain, smack them in the head and remind them that Penn State actually cares about the future of its players.

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