Gardner Minshew (Washington State)
Measurements:
Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 220 pounds
2018 Stats:
- 4,779 yards 70.7 percent completion rate
- 38 touchdown, 9 interceptions
Minshew wasn’t on anyone’s radar heading into the 2018 season and he was even on his way to Alabama as a grad transfer to be a third-string backup behind Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts. However, he got a call from Washington State at the last minute and he traveled to Pullman in a season that would earn him Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Part of Minshew’s production can be attributed to Mike Leach’s air raid offense, but there are some qualities that would appeal to most NFL teams. Minshew is a strong, accurate pocket passer that shows excellent poise in the pocket. While that sounds like music to the ears of Kirk Cousins’ detractors, many scouts are leery due to a disastrous performance against Washington where he threw for just 152 yards and a pair of interceptions.
Former Mike Leach quarterbacks have also not fared well in the NFL (Hello, Graham Harrell). But Minshew has enough tools to possibly be an intriguing pick late in the draft for the Vikings.