Christian Ponder Scouting Report

After redshirting during the 2006 season and playing as a backup in 2007, Christian Ponder stepped into the starting role at Florida State. Ponder did not put up great numbers, but he did throw for 2,006 yards and managed to throw more touchdowns than interceptions. Ponder also turned into a solid scrambler and he rushed for 423 yards and four touchdowns. Ponder had his breakout campaign in 2009. He started the first nine games of the season before his season ended following a shoulder injury. Yet in those nine games Ponder completed an impressive 68.8 percent of his passes for 2,717 yards and 14 touchdowns. Ponder also added a couple scores on the ground, but for the most part he was a pocket passer who scrambled when he needed to…a far different style of quarterback than he was just a year ago.

Ponder's success in 2009 led to higher expectations in 2010. While the numbers are not anything mind boggling, through nine games Florida State is 6-3 and eyeing a trip Atlantic Coast Conference Championship game and Ponder's efficient and consistent play has certainly led the way.

Ponder will not have the strongest arm or quickest feet of any quarterback in this class, but he has decent size at 6-3 and 227 pounds and may be the most complete quarterback in this class if Andrew Luck opts to remain at Stanford. If that is the case and Ponder continues to win while Jake Locker continues to have a bad season and Ryan Mallett remains inconsistent, Ponder could find his stock shooting through the roof.

3/22 Update: Ponder had a superb showing at the Senior Bowl and backed it up with another great showing at the NFL combine. His stock is soaring right now and he could be a first round selection. The biggest concern is his arm strength following a couple of injuries that limited his production over the last year or so. His deep balls at the NFL combine were nothing special, but he did improve on that during Florida State's pro day.