Jimmy Garoppolo

A quarterback prospect who isn't as well-known in a class full of marquee names, Garoppolo continued to generate buzz in NFL circles as he broke all of Tony Romo's career school records, as well as all of the Ohio Valley Conference passing records. Garoppolo's career included a record-breaking senior season that led to the 2013 Walter Payton Award after throwing for 5,050 yards and 53 touchdowns. He recorded 11 300-plus-yard games in 2013, and five with 400-plus while throwing just nine interceptions in 568 attempts. He was also named first team FCS All-American by the Associated Press. Garoppolo leaves the college ranks with 13,156 passing yards and 118 passing touchdowns in his career. Garoppolo is much more than a funny looking last name. He isn't the biggest and lacks a huge arm, but he has an above average understanding of offensive football and uses his quick eyes and touch to push the ball downfield. He grades as a top 100 prospect for several NFL scouts, and continued to rise during the pre-draft circuit do to a strong week at the Senior Bowl that turned into an invitation to the combine. Garoppolo can find receivers and fire the ball on target faster than you can say his name. Lighting release and frozen rope medium distance sideline passes are reminiscent of Dan Marino's lasers. This despite concerns about his size, short arms and small hands.

excellent passing vision with quick eyes to scan and a quick, natural delivery. smart and executes the offense well. quick intellectual process on the football field. above average timing with little unnecessary movements and very good pace in his set-up.

Quick feet to evade pressure with the pocket mobility to move his lower body with his eyes focused downfield. Gets "happy feet" at times, but shows the ability to reset. Very good touch and overall placement with improved accuracy to all levels of the field throughout his career.

tony romo, dallas cowboys - the comparison goes beyond coming from the same college program. both lack elite physical skills, but are productive due to their timing, smarts and quick release to get the ball out.

--Dane Brugler

lack of elite velocity will show on some nfl throws. needs to continue to improve his decision-making and not allow pressure to severely alter his process. bad habit of forcing throws in small windows. lower-than-ideal release point with an almost side-arm motion.

Needs to get his feet under control on a consistent basis and regularly step into his throws. Must continue and develop his pocket awareness and internal clock to feel pressure. Holds the ball too long at times and will take unnecessary hits.

experience is in a fcs spread, shotgun attack; needs to become more acclimated with under-center snaps.

COMPARES TO

level-headed and always under control with a strong leadership presence. confident thrower and short memory. elite career production as a four-year starter at the fcs level.

WEAKNESSES

strengths

Good, not great, height, body type and hand size. Better than adequate arm strength with a snap release that produces some juice. Live arm with his experience coming from a pass-happy offense.

Standout quarterback at Rolling Meadows HS passing for 1,888 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior earning Northwest Suburban All-Area honors

also rushed for 563 yards and 7 touchdowns helping to lead his team to Mid-Suburban East League championships and IHSA Class 7A playoff berth

also impressive as a junior passing for 2,072 yards and 18 touchdowns while completing 152 of 253 passes

added 552 yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground

played for coach Doug Millsaps.

Major is management

son of Tony and Denise Garoppolo

brother Mike played football at Western Illinois.