BYU QB Jaren Hall Is Better Than Zach Wilson

When comparing Jaren Hall’s 2021 game film against Zach Wilson’s 2020 game film at BYU, Hall looks like a better overall pro prospect.

That may surprise some people, but that was my impression.

Hall looked more composed and Wilson looked more erratic.

I put a third-round grade on Wilson pre-draft.

Both are similar athletically, but Hall just struck me as a better overall quarterback (QB).

Hall is starting to get noticed

It doesn’t look I am alone in my high assessment of Hall’s passing skills in his first-season as a starter.

Several of the larger NFL Draft platforms have stepped up and given Hall a big grade.

According to nflmockdraftdatabase.com, Yardbarker put a first-round grade on Hall (No.25), as did Draft Kings (No. 25) and Pro Football Network (No. 31).

While I don’t see him in the first-round, he did grow on me the more I watched him.

I saw shades of QB Russell Wilson in Hall. He went in the third-round of the 2012 NFL Draft. I am not saying he is the next Russell Wilson, but there are some similarities.

Benjamin Criddle (@espn960sports) ran a poll on Twitter of where some think Hall could get drafted over the summer.

It’s important not to get carried away with Hall

I never saw Wilson as a franchise QB coming out of BYU. I thought he was a third-round developmental QB. Yes, I do like Hall more than Wilson, but Hall is still more suited to be a quality backup than a starter at the next level.

I mean look at the hype that was surrounding Wilson coming out of BYU, and he won three games his rookie season for the Jets and was the No. 30 ranked QB in the NFL (espn.com).

Hall can be an upper-tier backup in the NFL who gives a team a good chance to win when called upon.

At this point, his limitations will hold him back from being any more than this.

#3 Jaren Hall 6-foot-1, 205 pounds

Daniel Kelly Grade: Second-Round – Early Fall 2022 Report

First Round Mock Big Board: QB7

Projected by 7.0% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of September 5, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2021 game film reviewed: ASU, Washington State and Baylor (click to watch games viewed to form this evaluation).

Level of competition: High

2021 stats: 189/296 (63.9%) 2,583 yards (8.7 avg.), 20 TD, 5 INT.

NFL comparable: Charlie Batch

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Instinctual playmaker with excellent mobility who lacks arm strength and relies on mechanics and touch passes. Methodical looking set-up in the pocket and shows good ball handling skills. Tough in the pocket and as a runner. Able to slide around and evade incoming pass rushers if he sees them coming, otherwise he is a sitting duck. Takes sacks (2021: 13) and does not have eyes in the back of his head. Fumbled a couple of times. Inconsistent going through progressions. Can take off and run (2021: 62 carries/307 yards 5.0 avg.). He had a long of 56 yards on the ground, and he can make a defender miss in the open field. Able to make something out of nothing. Best throwing in the short range, as he lacks velocity and has to push off to drive the ball into the intermediate route level. Tends to lock in due to dependence on mechanics. Often receivers were waiting on it. When he does connect he showed above average ball placement and he has a real natural feel where to put it. Often puts receivers in position to pick up additional yardage after the catch. Too inconsistent on roll-outs, due to reliance on mechanics. Throws some nice deep passes when he can put air under throws. Competitive prospect.

What to watch for during the 2022 college football season:

1. Does his arm look stronger?
2. Is he better at going through his progressions?
3. Does he throw it away more instead of taking sacks?
4. Is he fumbling in the pocket?

Hall has just about everything an NFL team would want, except the arm strength.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.