Bailey Zappe #3 in QB class
Zappe broke Joe Burrows record the NCAA record for most Passing Touchdowns in a single season (62). He also scored higher than all other QBs in this class through my assessment.
I don't think Bailey Zappe could have done anything better on his journey to fulfill his NFL dream. He threw for over 8,000 yards in high school to go along with 92 TD passes. To put that in perspective, I threw for 6,600 yards and was in the top 25 all-time in Indiana (until a few years ago). He did that in Texas, where I was in Indiana. He then went to play 3 years (2020 shortened due to COVID) at Houston Baptist University and threw another 8,000+ yards and 73 touchdowns in just 27 games. He transferred to Western Kentucky leading to this record breaking 2021 football season.
Starting quarterback in college is difficult at any level. To jump from starting at a struggling FCS program to starting at a FBS school is a feat in and of itself. To come in and put on a show like Zappe did this year - its unheard of.
Zappe broke the single season record for touchdown passes with 62. Joe Burrow's Heisman Trophy, National Championship ended with 60. He threw more passes than any other QB in this draft class, yet took the least amount of sacks.
The MAC is a far cry from the NFL, but like I said in the beginning, Bailey Zappe has done everything within his power to make his dream come true. He played 1 game vs a ranked team. He completed 70.9% of his passes, 3 passing touchdowns, 0 interceptions. He played in a bowl game. He completed 70.2% of his passes, 6 touchdowns, 0 interceptions.
I believe Bailey Zappe is a year away from being Mac Jones or Kirk Cousins. They may not be flashy playmakers, but they get the ball to flashy playmakers efficiently. A guy named Tom Brady is about the same type of QB. I think Zappe is realistically a 3rd round pick or later. However, I am sure GMs around the league recognize there is no reason to reach for a QB in this class, and that someone like Zappe might just be available for a steal later in the draft.
The knocks on Zappe are his size and his lack of experience against NFL like competition. Plenty of starting QBs in the NFL have beat those odds. For teams with a lukewarm backup willing to give someone a shot, Bailey Zappe is going to fall into your lap at least once this week.
