Greg McElroy

McElroy has arguably been the Crimson Tide's best quarterback since Jay Barker, but any time you project changing the throwing motion of a quarterback, you introduce a huge new risk to the value of a prospect. McElroy certainly appears to have the raw tools to be an NFL quarterback, and there is a lot to like about him as a prospect. However, he needs to demonstrate a new, more compact throwing motion to the satisfaction of NFL scouts before the draft, as Tim Tebow did for Denver last year.

positives

A winner, even a national champion, both in high school and college. Can be very accurate with good footwork. Two-year SEC starter demonstrates good ability to read coverage and make the right decision. Excellent TD/INT ratio. Has a nice touch on deep throws. While not blessed with a cannon arm, has enough arm strength to make most throws. Decent pocket presence and ability to detect pressure.

negatives

Has a hitch in the throwing motion, where the wrist turns the ball almost 180 degrees right before his elbow starts moving forward. Most NFL teams will insist on correcting that. Not fast, agile or mobile. When pressured, has a tendency to lose his footwork, and that is when his accuracy fails. May have disproportionately benefited from superior supporting casts in both college and high school.

As a first-year starter in 2005, McElroy passed for 4,687 yards, 56 touchdowns and just nine interceptions as he led his team (16-0) to the state 5A championship. For his efforts he was named 5A Offensive Player of the Year in Texas. As a sophomore and junior, he played behind two-time Texas 5A Player of the Year Chase Daniel. His senior season, McElroy completed 321 of 450 attempts for 4,687 yards and also had 700 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. Carroll High School won its third state title in four years by defeating Katy in the 2005 Class 5A Division II championship game. McElroy completed 21-of-31 passes for 328 yards and four touchdowns and was named the game MVP. His 56 touchdown passes broke a Texas state record.

Son of Greg and Sami McElroy. Has one sister, Blair. His father, Greg Sr., played football at the University of Hawai’i.