Former Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell Headed to CFL

[Hostile]

Graham Harrell heads to CFL


Sportsnet Canada reports the the Saskatchewan Roughriders have agreed to terms with former Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell.

Harrell, 24, also holds the NCAA record for completions in a season with 512, which he set in 2007. Harrell is also the only quarterback in U.S. college football history to twice amass over 5,000 yards passing in a season.

Harrell was bypassed in the 2009 NFL draft. He worked out for the Cleveland Browns but did not sign a contract with the club.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I was really surprised someone didn't take a shot on him. I guess the CFL will be a proving ground for him.

 

[Yeagermeister]

He could be the next Ricky Ray

 

[DallasEast]

Even Danny Wuerffel got drafted into the NFL. I'm at a loss as to why Harrell didn't make it.

 

[Alexander]

Even Danny Wuerffel got drafted into the NFL. I'm at a loss as to why Harrell didn't make it.

Harrell's arm strength must be worse than it looked. He really was amazingly bad at the Senior Bowl and he couldn't even get a camp invite to the Browns after a workout.

He simply was overhyped. I still remember the local media throwing his name at us leading up the draft as a 4th round option for Dallas. What a joke.

 

[DallasEast]

Harrell's arm strength must be worse than it looked. He really was amazingly bad at the Senior Bowl and he couldn't even get a camp invite to the Browns after a workout.

He simply was overhyped. I still remember the local media throwing his name at us leading up the draft as a 4th round option for Dallas. What a joke.

Is his arm strength as bad or worse than Wuerffel's? That's what I'm not certain of. I haven't seen very much Texas Tech football to make that determination.

Wuerffel's arm was weak and his accuracy was average, but he threw for a lot of yards in Steve Spurrier's offense and got drafted because of it. Even though I know next to nothing about Harrell, it's hard for me to believe that he was at or below Wuerffel's level.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Is his arm strength as bad or worse than Wuerffel's? That's what I'm not certain of. I haven't seen very much Texas Tech football to make that determination.

Wuerffel's arm was weak and his accuracy was average, but he threw for a lot of yards in Steve Spurrier's offense and got drafted because of it. Even though I know next to nothing about Harrell, it's hard for me to believe that he was at or below Wuerffel's level.

Wuerffel actually threw downfield in Spurrier's offense. Leach's offense at Texas Tech relies on screens for the most part. Harrell is the classic system quarterback.

 

[Chief]

It will be interesting to see how Taylor Potts does at Texas Tech and especially after. He has a very strong arm and is a bigger, stronger guy than Harrell.

Maybe Leach will mix in more deep plays this fall since he has a QB with a gun.

Harrell made not have had the physical tools to be drafted, but I'm not convinced he wouldn't be a better NFL QB than Vince Young (nice pick Titans) or Tim Couch, who was picked No. 1 overall.

 

[Alexander]

Is his arm strength as bad or worse than Wuerffel's? That's what I'm not certain of. I haven't seen very much Texas Tech football to make that determination.

It could be as simple as that. All I know is that he couldn't even complete a deep out at the Senior Bowl. Pro QBs have to make that throw.

Wuerffel's arm was weak and his accuracy was average, but he threw for a lot of yards in Steve Spurrier's offense and got drafted because of it. Even though I know next to nothing about Harrell, it's hard for me to believe that he was at or below Wuerffel's level.

Wuerffel was also very smart. Perhaps Harrell was boosted up by Leach's offense and perhaps it is more friendly than Spurrier's to learn. He wouldn't be the first Texas Tech system QB to struggle. The fact Kliff Kingsbury was at least able to stick around at the NFL level for a year or two after college might point to the fact that Harrell wasn't even as talented as he was to begin with, just more prolific.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I would think that the success rate of guys like Kingsbury (I believe that's how you spell his name) who came out of Tech before Graham, running the same type of offense, showed them that those guys really just aren't NFL ready QB's with NFL level ability.

 

[Alexander]

I would think that the success rate of guys like Kingsbury (I believe that's how you spell his name) who came out of Tech before Graham, running the same type of offense, showed them that those guys really just aren't NFL ready QB's with NFL level ability.

Kingsbury and even B.J. Symons were drafted and neither were as productive as Harrell. Perhaps teams just smartened up and realized the statistical inflation that playing in Leach's system can do and decided not to draft him. Remember again, Harrell couldn't even get a camp invite, something is else is obviously wrong. It is not a case of simply being snubbed for the draft. He was deemed not even worthy of a camp invitation anywhere.

 

[Aven8]

It's too bad. One of the smartest QB's I've seen in college. He also had tenacity and was a true leader. If a Olineman or WR screwed up he would let them know about it. He was also as cool as any QB I've seen...he reminded me of Tom Brady...not the tools, but the way he was in the pocket.

He also holds the national TD record in HS. He's too smart to not be sucessful. He'll probably win a couple of Grey Cups, and come to the big boy leagues just like Flutie, Moon,Young, and Garcia. I hope so anyway

 

[goshan]

Harrell didn't just throw screen passes.
His arm is too weak for the NFL but he is very accurate on throws within 25 yards.

 

[Aven8]

Kingsbury and even B.J. Symons were drafted and neither were as productive as Harrell. Perhaps teams just smartened up and realized the statistical inflation that playing in Leach's system can do and decided not to draft him. Remember again, Harrell couldn't even get a camp invite, something is else is obviously wrong. It is not a case of simply being snubbed for the draft. He was deemed not even worthy of a camp invitation anywhere.

Symons is the NCAA record holder for passing yds in a season, in the one year he played. He had a very stong arm, unfortunatly he played behind Kingsbury for three yrs and was out of eligibility. He threw long bombs all the time. Leach get's a sense of what his QB's strengths are, and then adjust the offense, ie. Harrell was very accurate, but a weaker arm.

I'm not sure if it's on Youtube, but the game against Ole Miss where Symons and Eli Manning dueled it out was a classic.

 

[joseephuss]

Is his arm strength as bad or worse than Wuerffel's? That's what I'm not certain of. I haven't seen very much Texas Tech football to make that determination.

Wuerffel's arm was weak and his accuracy was average, but he threw for a lot of yards in Steve Spurrier's offense and got drafted because of it. Even though I know next to nothing about Harrell, it's hard for me to believe that he was at or below Wuerffel's level.

Maybe teams viewed Harrell as slightly above Wuerffel, but still not good enough to be drafted. Wuerffel and several other Gator/Spurrier QBs did not succeed and that learning experience effects other QBs running similar systems down the line.

 

[dallasfaniac]

Forget about Michael Vick, he's just the named talent the UFL needs.

 

[RedRaiderCowboysFan]

Teams have figured out that any qb in Mike Leach's offense is a system qb who puts up lots of stats but don't have the skill set necessary to succeed in the NFL. Cumbie and Symmons were only 1 year starters and Harrell played 3 full seasons. Maybe Potts will break the streak of Tech qb's that don't make it in the NFL.

Tech and the Cowboys are really similiar, every year lately they get your hopes up and tease you with how good they can be, but then they choke and break your heart. And sadly, neither team this year will probably live up to the expecations of fans.

 

[DFWJC]

Even Danny Wuerffel got drafted into the NFL. I'm at a loss as to why Harrell didn't make it.

I think that is part of it right there. Lack of NFL success from guys like Wuerffel make it tougher for guys like Harrell. His arm strength was okay in college but not even average at the NFL level.

That does not mean he won't possibly find a way to be a backup someday. He seems to have what it takes as far as accuracy and the ability to read defenses.

 

[Apollo Creed]

How far can he throw it in the air? Be honest.