Does Grayson McCall Get Invited to an NFL Camp?

That’s the question I was left pondering after watching Coastal Carolina quarterback (QB) Grayson McCall play in three games last season.

To say his grade fell off a cliff would be an understatement.

McCall looked like a different QB on 2022 game film – – compared to 2021.

This is one of the biggest drops in draft stock I’ve ever seen from one year to the next. I had McCall knocking on the door of the first-round off of his 2021 game film.

Not anymore.

That’s why it’s important to watch as much game film as humanly possible. The times I’ve missed on prospects it’s because of not watching enough film and not having enough pre-draft intel.

BIG RED FLAG 🚩

When I saw McCall enter into the transfer portal on December 12, but then decide to stay put by the beginning of January, that caught my attention.

The fact that the three time Sun Belt Player of the Year couldn’t land at a bigger program pre-draft is very telling.

Not only that, but in 2021 McCall had the most efficient QB Rating in college football since 1956 (207.65).

According to CBS, McCall had a visit planned to Auburn, but that didn’t come to fruition due to an “academic issue.”

Why isn’t a QB with this kind of football resume on the move?

What’s going on here?

While McCall flashes fast decision making and quick accurate throws (his saving grace), his 2022 game film was laced with inconsistencies.

Against Troy, McCall started doing this thing where he twirled the football (flipped the nose of the ball) in his hands prior to throwing. I’ve never seen a QB do that in 41 years.

I’ve seen plenty QBs pat the ball pre-delivery, but I’ve never seen one twirl it like that pre-delivery, and he did it several times in this game.

That was strange.

The big thing here is McCall’s ball placement was all over the place in these three games, and even on completed passes he wasn’t always putting his receivers in ideal position to pick up additional yardage.

The other big thing was his ball security was an issue.

In this three game study, opposing defenses got a hand on his throws 6x, plus he fumbled 3x (recovered his own fumble once).

Average runner

Not helping his cause is McCall is a very average looking runner.

He’s able to pick up a few yards here and there, often out of necessity, rarely by design.

There’s just not enough there as a runner to look the other way on the passing game limitations.

His rushing average fell to a four-year low (2.1 yards). He had just about as many rushing attempts in 2022 vs. 2021, but his average fell off by a whole yard.

#10 Grayson McCall 6-foot-3, 215 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Spring 2023 Grade: UDFA (I wouldn’t sign him)

Projected by 1.4% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of May 26, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: Troy, Georgia Southern, and Buffalo (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: 207/297 (69.7%), 2700 yards, 24 TD, 2 INT, 19 sacks, long-75

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Inconsistent passer with a thick frame who is an average runner. Led offense with an inconsistent tempo. Tended to lock in with receivers. Ball placement leaves a lot to be desired at all three route levels. Had to step into throws and really drive it to get any zip on passes. Some passes looked wobbly and labored getting to the intermediate route level. Too much air under intermediate straight-line passes. Prefers break point routes. Makes some questionable throwing decisions. Didn’t always feel the pass rush. Threw a couple nice deep balls. Just not enough there to depend on in any regard. Good effort running.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. Ball placement?

2. Ball security?

3. Mechanics?

4. Locking in with receivers?

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 is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.