NFL Draft: Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) QB

It's hard to believe that Sam Bradford is only a Sophomore. The prolific Oklahoma passer is enjoying a season for the record books, not that his Freshman season was not a gem. In fact, during his first year at Oklahoma, Bradford enjoyed a season that would be the envy of any college quarterback. After red- shirting the 2006 season, Bradford started for the Oklahoma in 2007 and led the Sooners to an 11-3 record, completing 69.5% of his passes for 3,121 yards and 36 touchdowns; the 36 touchdowns set an NCAA Freshman record. [1]

In 2007 Sam Bradford got his Freshman season out to a ringing start with an almost flawless performance in his first game as a collegiate quarterback. Against the University of North Texas, Bradford passed for 363 yards and 3 touchdowns on 21 out of 23 passes. [2] The game would pace a record breaking year that saw him lead the nation in pass efficient rating. By season's end, Bradford had garnered Freshman All-American honors from a host of prestigious places like Sports Illustrated, and the Sporting News, setting the stage for what was to come in 2008.

This season has been more of the same for Bradford, who has thrown for an average of 340 yards per game and has 38 touchdowns to just 6 interception through the first 10 games of the season. Along the way he has posted some very big games. The second game of the season saw Bradford throw for 395 yards and 5 touchdowns in a win against Cincinnati; the game him the Dave O'Brien Quarterback of the Week honors. [3] That game was followed by outstanding performances against Washington (304 yards 5 TDs), TCU (411 yards 4 TDs), and Baylor (372 yards and 2 TDs) before Oklahoma's lost to Texas. Yet though they the Sooners lost to the Longhorns 35-45, Bradford still managed to shine, throwing for 387 yards and 5 touchdowns. [4] The rest of the season has been more of the same, with Oklahoma never scoring less than 45 points and Bradford providing the offense that gets them those high scores.

This is all well and good on the college level, but how does this success translate to a future in the NFL? The big question is, does Sam Bradford have the Sophomore have the right stuff to make a move to the NFL after only his Sophomore year? Given that it's going to be a relatively weak Draft at the position, with most of the major contenders having off seasons, the answer might be a resounding yes. The 6-4, 220 lb signal caller has the right frame for a quarterback, and makes good decision on the field, for which his low interception rate can attest to. He comes from good stock, his father being a former collegiate lineman at Oklahoma, and he has demonstrated superior leadership skills on the field. If he declares for the NFL Entry Draft in 2009, put Sam Bradford down as a first or second round pick.

Sources:

[1] www.sambradford.org

[2] www.sambradford.org

[3] "Sam Bradford Named O'Brien Quarterback of the Week," www.nfldraftbible.com

[4] "Sam Bradford," Rivals.Yahoo.com