As a two-year starter at Colorado State, Garrett Grayson helped transform the Rams into one of the top sub-division programs in college football, exemplified by a 10-3 record in 2014.
Grayson was one of four college quarterbacks to throw for 4,000 yards last season, and his Total QBR (69.6) ranked sixth among quarterbacks in the 2015 draft class.
“Monday Night Football” analyst Jon Gruden will meet with Grayson and four other quarterbacks during the sixth season of “Gruden’s QB Camp,” which debuts Tuesday, April 7, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Ahead of the show, we take a look at Grayson’s greatest strength, his main area in need of improvement in his final season and a cause for concern.
Greatest strength: Stretching the field
Grayson excelled in the vertical passing game last season, averaging 9.5 yards per pass and earning a first down on 40 percent of his throws. Only Marcus Mariota (10 yards per attempt and first downs on 42 percent of passes) stretched the field at a higher rate last season.
In 2014, 57 percent of Grayson’s completions gained 10 yards or more, the highest percentage of any quarterback in this draft class.
Not only did Grayson find success downfield, but he also converted third downs. Grayson converted on 47 percent of third-down passing plays, ranking fourth in the nation behind Blake Sims, Jameis Winston and Cody Kessler.
Biggest improvement: Mobility
Grayson took 74 sacks during his four-year career at Colorado State, including 26 in his final season. Although that total is not exceptionally high, Grayson fumbled 16 times in his two full seasons as starter (but was fortunate to have the Rams recover all but three of those fumbles).
A hamstring injury kept Grayson from the combine, but he returned in time to throw at Colorado State’s pro day on Monday.
Grayson posted an unofficial 40-yard time of 4.72 seconds, which would have ranked seventh among quarterbacks at the combine. Mariota led all quarterbacks with a 4.52 40-yard time.
Cause for concern: No more Rashard Higgins
A lot of Grayson’s production last year came throwing to consensus first-team All-American wide receiver Rashard Higgins.
Higgins was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award as well as on the watch list for the Walter Camp Award after leading the nation in receiving yards last season.
Grayson’s passing numbers dropped significantly last year when targeting receivers not named Higgins. When targeting Higgins, Grayson had a 16-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a Total QBR of 96. Throwing to all others, Grayson had a 16-6 ratio and an 83 Total QBR.
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