Will he become the next great Jets quaterback

A highly touted quaterback from USC, Mark Sanchez has an opportunity to become the young gun of this year's NFL Draft.  This post is a Mark Sanchez scouting report. 

One of the hardest decisions any highly talented college athlete will face is that decision to go pro. There are so many factors that go into that decision. Am I ready? Where will I most likely get drafted? Do I want to get my degree and finish off my commitment to my college? What if I get hurt in school? How much am I going to get paid? All of these questions and then some were weighing on Mark Sanchez when he decided to announce his eligibility after just one season as the starting quarterback at USC. 

I won’t knock any kid who makes the decision to turn pro, even when I think they may be jumping the gun. Who can really tell a 20-some year old that he or she shouldn’t follow their dream and talents and get paid millions of dollars in the process? It’s why we are so impressed when huge stars are no facing a high draft status and all the money that goes with it, decide to stay for a junior or senior season. Way to go Peyton Manning and Sam Bradford!

    So Sanchez standing 6’2”, weighing 227lbs, finds himself stepping up to fill the shoes of no other than Brett Favre as the New York Jets traded up to select him as the 5^th over-all pick. Pete Carroll advised Sanchez that another season would greatly benefit him in the NFL. Sanchez, definitely not lacking in confidence, thinks he has what it takes and only time will tell.

     Sanchez came to USC as one of the most touted high school players in the nation out of Mission Viejo, CA. He was named the 2004 Parade All-American Player of the Year, Super Prep All-American of the Year, EA Sports All-American Fist Team, Scout.com All-American First Team and about 200 other awards too numerous to list. Needless to say he was a stud entering USC and he didn’t disappoint when given the chance to play. As a sophomore, he was a back-up to David Booty but did get three starts when Booty went down with an injury. Sanchez was impressive, completing just over 60% of his passes for 695 yards, seven touchdowns and 5 interceptions.

     The one big question mark for me, aside from only one year starting in college, is the caliber of competition he’s faced. Let’s face it; winning the Pac 10 isn’t the same as winning in the SEC or Big-12. There simply isn’t the same talent pool. Is there still football in the state of Washington? I would like to think the Jets saw enough in him to trade up to the fifth spot to get him, but I have to wonder if Sanchez is really that good or was this years crop of Quarterbacks aren’t that great. One thing is for certain, NY fans and media don’t have a lot of patience, so sink or swim, Sanchez had better do it quick.