RG3 Impresses At Combine, Likely Solidifies Number 2 Overall Pick

Former Baylor QB Robert Griffin III continued his meteoric rise up NFL draft boards this weekend with a sterling performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. Griffin opted not to participate in throwing drills, he will save that for his pro-day later in March, but showed off his terrific athletic ability nonetheless. RG3's was the star of the show in the all-important 40-yard dash posting an official time of 4.41 (although he actually believes it was faster). That is the fast 40 time for a QB since Mike Vick put up the fastest ever with a 4.33 in 2001.

Stanford QB Andrew Luck has been penciled in as the number 1 overall pick since this time last year when he was also considered the consensus number 1 prospect but chose to return to Stanford for another season to try and bring his team a Rose Bowl and a Heisman Trophy. Luck did nothing to hurt his chances with another terrific year but failed to take home the Heisman, which pretty much everyone was all but ready to hand to him at the beginning of the year. This reason for this is simple: RG3. Griffin's total season stats were off the chart to begin with (4,293 yds, 37 TDs, 72.4% completion percentage and only 6 INTs) but were highlighted by a 5-game winning streak to close out the regular season that featured wins over Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri that vaulted Baylor to its highest end of season ranking (after finishing the year with a 67-56 barn burning win over Washington in the Alamo Bowl. RG3 was fantastic over that stretch averaging more than 450 yards of offense and scoring 20 TDs. What's more is that anyone who watch Griffin play during that time will tell you that even those numbers don't do justice to Griffin's performance. He has the moxie of a winner and the toughness to match. Griffin's play ripped the Heisman out of Luck's hands and showed the world the next QB of the future.

I jumped on the Griffin bandwagon this season and my respect for him has only continued to grow. What has impressed me the most about RG3 is what comes out of his mouth. Griffin gives a great interview showing humility, elocution, intelligence and genuine good humor. I think this is a quality people tend to underestimate (I've heard numerous people dismissing RG3 future in the NFL because they just see his flashy play and don't believe he possesses the mental capacity to take his game to the next level in the NFL) but I am convinced it is an important indicator of how well a top QB prospect can adjust to the NFL with all that is thrown at them when they enter the league. For example look no further than last year's Heisman winner and number 1 overall pick Cam Newton who overcame serious pre-draft doubts about his accuracy and ability to run a traditional offense. Cam took everything in stride with a smile on his face and despite not having a full off-season turned in the best rookie season for a QB ever. While RG3 lacks Cam's massive frame that allowed him to become the best goal line threat in the NFL last year, I still envision Robert Griffin III taking the league by storm next year and turning in some particularly eye-popping performances early and often.