2019 NFL Draft Profile: Boise State QB Brett Rypien
Who will take the Broncos quarterback?
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Will the four-year starter for the Broncos get drafted?
In 2007, a quarterback arrived from Prosser, Washington and went on to become the winningest quarterback in college football history. That, of course, is Bronco legend Kellen Moore. Not only did Moore go 50-3 in his time in Boise, but he also became No. 6 on the NCAA total passing yards list.
Moore accomplished nearly everything but winning a national championship, but when the draft came around, the Boise State great did not hear his name called.
Fast forward to the spring of 2015, Brett Rypien arrives at Boise State as a highly regarded four-star quarterback, also out of the Evergreen State. While in high school, Rypien actually broke several of Moore’s high school records. Needless to say expectations were sky high for Rypien.
All he did was become No. 13 on the NCAA total passing yards with 13,581, have 37-12 record as a starter, 95 total touchdowns to only 29 interceptions, selected as MWC Freshman of the Year, three-time MWC Offensive Player of the Year, and MWC Offensive Player of the Year his senior season.
On paper Rypien seems like a sure-fire draft pick, but let’s dive a little deeper into his strengths and weaknesses.
Strengths
Brett Rypien’s greatest asset is not his arm, legs, or athleticism, but rather his football IQ. This can be somewhat difficult to quantify but can be seen in his mastery of the complicated Boise State offense.
Rypien was also a successful four-year starter, who showed consistent improvement throughout his college career. Brett has also shown the ability to smoothly work through all of his progressions in order to find the open receiver. While he may not always appear to have the strongest arm, he is capable of making all of the throws, especially finding success with deep outs during his senior season.
Weaknesses
He has average size at just under 6’2” and 210 lbs with less than average athletic ability. Most scouting reports on Rypien criticize his arm strength, although he did tie for the fastest velocity at the NFL Combine at 59 mph.
Rypien has had games throughout his career where he became rattled and was extremely ineffective, often producing in multiple turnovers as a result. His internal clock can run slow, resulting in unnecessary coverage sacks.
Draft Prediction
Rypien has been projected as high as the 4th round and as low as an undrafted free agent. He seems to be most consistently slotted in the 5th to 6th rounds. His football IQ and incredible work ethic mixed with his on-the-field skills should lead Rypien to be the first Boise State quarterback taken in the NFL Draft.
