Everyone knew that Robert Griffin III was a great athlete coming out of high school, and that his athleticism would make him a very good college quarterback. But his improvement this year with accuracy in the passing game has thrust RG3 into the Heisman Trophy discussion and is also putting him in the first round of the NFL draft according to draft experts like Mel Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay.
RG3 was a track star in high school so he got a lot of attention from big schools coming out of high school. When Griffin makes plays with his legs observers aren’t surprised. Draft experts saw him playing in the NFL but thought he might have to change positions as other athletic college quarterbacks have done in the past like Josh Cribbs. They underestimated Griffin’s work ethic and determination as he kept working on his game.
Griffin had plenty of success at Baylor heading into the 2011 season but he also faced serious adversity as well. In his sophomore season, RGIII suffered an isolated tear to his ACL in his third start of his sophomore year. He had to miss the entire season. While we’ve seen many players come back from ACL injuries, you never like to see a speedy athlete suffer that kind of injury.
Griffin came back of course, but heading into the 2011 season, few people expected much from Baylor, and Griffin wasn’t being discussed as one of the best quarterbacks in college football. But Griffin showed tremendous improvement this year as a passer. His accuracy became a real weapon, and suddenly Baylor became a force in the Big 12. He capped off his amazing season with a 48-24 thrashing of the Texas Longhorns. Texas has a tough defense, yet RG3 had a brilliant game.
Griffin connected with Kendall Wright for a 59-yarder on the first play of the game. Texas hadn’t given up a TD pass of over 20 yards all season. Griffin was 15 of 22 passing for 320 yards and two touchdowns. He ran for two more touchdowns.
Robert Griffin III and the Baylor Bears are a great story in what has been a tough season for college football. Experts thought Griffin would be a good, yet one-dimensional player. Now those same experts are arguing he deserves the Heisman Trophy and might go in the first round of the NFL draft due to his passing ability. He still has that great speed, but now everyone is talking about his arm.
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