2023 BCS QB Scouting Report
Player: Max Duggan
School: TCU
Year: Senior
Games Watched: Cal (2021), Texas (2021), Oklahoma (2021, Kansas State (2021 & 2022), West Virginia (2022), Michigan (2022), Georgia (2022)
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Accuracy: Ability to anticipate and throw on time ran hot and cold, forcing receivers into an adjustment. Offense tasked him with vertical throws which are naturally lower-percentage and provide greater context for his completion percentage. Can throw darts at the underneath level that are placed where they need to be.
Arm Strength: Has to really load up when trying to stretch the field, laboring to get it down the field and finishing with excessive upper-body tilt because of his launch point/inability to properly rotate through the throw.
Size: Measured in 6’1”, 204 pounds at the Senior Bowl with nearly 10-inch hands (9 7/8). Shows some proportionate mass.
Mobility: Shows true dual-threat capabilities as a tough, athletic runner who can generate offense away from the pocket. Initial quickness develops into the long speed to create explosive gains as a ball carrier
Decision Making: Steady progression is encouraging with a TD:INT ratio that improved each season. Level of play rebounded in 2022 and showed more of a penchant for the big play, but he elected to hold on the ball too long or put it into harm’s way down the field too often.
Out of Structure Ability: Has a loose arm to make throws when he’s on the move, just doesn’t do a good-enough job of putting throws where they need to be. Eyes are downfield while extending the play to remain ready to pull the trigger.
Pocket Awareness: Had no plan and little inability to escape the closest replica of NFL pressure in the National Championship. Can become too concerned with immediate pressure that he will throw blindly into trouble.
Touch/Placement: Saw too many intermediate throws sail when trying to blend touch and velocity.
Upper/Lower Mechanics: Low carriage point creates a pronounced windup with only some pop out of his hand, forcing him to be on time at a regular rate and giving defenders a chance to play catch-up when he wasn’t. Too much disassociation between his upper and lower halves to be consistently accurate at all three levels.
Progressions: Offense did him some favors by creating space and windows with most reads sticking to one side of the field. Love the willingness to challenge down the field, but he needs to be more aware of where defenders end up following pre-snap movement. Telegraphed throws to the short side, giving deep defenders the opportunity to race over and make a play.
Accuracy (15): 9.75
Arm Strength (10): 6
Size (5): 3.25
Mobility (10): 7.5
Decision Making (10): 6.5
Out of Structure Ability (10): 6
Pocket Awareness (10): 6
Touch/Placement (10): 5.75
Upper/Lower Mechanics (10): 6
Progressions (10): 5.5
Grade: 62.25/100 – Day 3
Summary: The Heisman runner-up has a wealth of experience, registering more than 3,000 career snaps according to PFF. There is also legitimate entertainment value to his play as a competitor who can spark an offense on the ground and through the air, trusting his guys to make a play when the ball’s up for grabs. Duggan will be one to watch closely at the Senior Bowl for a closer look at how his skillset coalesces with high-level competition. He and Stetson Bennett are going to draw comparisons to Brock Purdy and it’s understandable with where they are as passers and what they offer athletically. Nevertheless, Duggan projects as a later Day 3 pick with spot-starter capabilities.
Report Author: T.J. Randall
Twitter: @TJ_Randall12