If Johnny Manziel declares for May's NFL Draft, he may be competing in what will likely be a class rich with quarterbacks, but one scout likened him to a legend.
According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, an unnamed NFL scout said Manziel reminded him of Joe Montana for his fluid delivery and ability to throw from awkward angles.
"[Manziel] reminds me a little bit of [Joe] Montana," one scout told the MJS. "Fluid, and even though he's off-balance he can get the ball out. He's a smaller guy but he has big hands for a little guy. He's fun to watch."
The Texas A&M quarterback has two more years of college eligibility and he is at least considering taking one more year before going pro. He, UCF junior Blake Bortles and Louisville junior Teddy Bridgewater have until Jan. 15 to decide whether or not they want to stay in college or declare for the NFL Draft.
A group of seniors including Alabama's A.J. McCarron, Clemson's Tajh Boyd, LSU's Zach Mettenberger, Fresno State's Derek Carr and Georgia's Aaron Murray are headed to the draft. If Bortles, Manziel and Bridgewater all declare for the draft, there is speculation that they could be drafted ahead of the seniors.
The scout said Manziel and Bridgewater are athletic quarterbacks that can run, while McCarron, Bortles and Mettenberger are good pocket passers.
"You've got to pick and choose what flavor you want," one scout said. "Do you want the pocket passer? That's Bortles, McCarron, Mettenberger.
"Or do you want the athlete in Manziel or Bridgewater? There will probably be three in the first. Depends what people think of Johnny Manziel."
Some teams may be put off by questions surrounding Manziel's character. He generated a reputation during college for hard partying before he turned 21 and was also implicated in an investigation for allegedly selling his autograph for cash. He was given an extremely light penalty for the latter because the NCAA could not find sufficient evidence he ever accepted cash.
Manziel has gained praise from the likes of Nick Saban and Brian Billick, both of whom have said the young quarterback is ready for the NFL.
