Feb. 26--As a native North Dakotan, Randy Hedberg was familiar with Carson Wentz well before Hedberg became North Dakota State's quarterbacks coach in 2014. Meeting Wentz for the first time, though, left a resounding impression on the former NFL quarterback.
It's the same thing talent evaluators are experiencing this week at the NFL scouting combine.
"I met that big dude," Hedberg said of the 6-foot-5, 232-pound passer.
And once he got past Wentz's physical attributes, intangibles only deepened Hedberg's confidence in him.
"I was impressed by his size and his knowledge and his intelligence," he said. "Just a great young man."
Wentz exuded some of those qualities Thursday during a media session that touched on topics ranging from the pro-style offense he ran at the FCS school to his love for his home state.
He glided through questions with the poise, charisma and command of a franchise quarterback. And with physical prowess to match, Wentz is trying to strengthen his case to be the first quarterback called at the NFL draft in Chicago on April 28.
"When I think of a franchise quarterback, not only do I think of the physical ability, but I think of being a winner," he said. "Winning ballgames, taking command, being a leader."
That's what he did for the Bison, at least. He was 20-3 as a starter and accounted for 2.3 touchdowns per game the last two seasons, each of which ended with a national championship.
Then Wentz's star brightened at the national level in January with a strong performance at the Senior Bowl. His arm strength is good, and he's more than just functionally mobile for his size.
Several analysts believe he and California's Jared Goff are the two best quarterbacks in this year's class. Wentz could be selected as high as No. 2 overall by the Browns, which would set a new standard for FCS quarterbacks.
Naturally, that possibility is inviting scrutiny about the level of competition he faced in college. And it could result in a vast difference of opinions about his worth on draft day.
"That doesn't mean great players can't come from those levels," Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said. "We've seen a Joe Flacco playing at the University of Delaware -- he's obviously a great NFL quarterback. So it may take them a little bit longer, but those types of players can certainly develop if they have the right skill set."
Wentz at least has a favorable foundation. Not only did the Bison's offense require Wentz to play from under center, Hedberg gave him the freedom to make protection calls and change plays at the line of scrimmage.
Those are layers of experience he has over quarterbacks who played in spread offenses and didn't have those responsibilities.
"That's one thing I think he's gotten better and better at -- he sees coverages and he understands coverages," Hedberg said. "He understands what safeties are doing -- depth of safeties and width of safeties. He's able to process that very quickly from his pre-snap to his post-snap (reads)."
It amounts to a total package that's drawing lofty comparisons.
"I see a kid that's as athletic or more athletic than Andrew Luck," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. "He's bigger than Andrew Luck. He's got arm strength comparable to Andrew Luck. He just doesn't have the experience that Andrew Luck has at a high level that Andrew had coming out of college. So I see a ceiling for this kid similar to Andrew Luck. That's why I believe in this kid so much. But it's going to take a little bit of time."
Mayock sees Goff as more NFL-ready, while Wentz has greater upside. For now, Goff's relatively slight frame is a talking point.
At 6-foot-4, Goff weighed only 215 pounds Thursday. But Goff can add muscle over time and allay related concerns about his durability.
Said ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.: "For Goff, if he was a little bigger right now in terms of weight, I don't think there'd be any question he'd be the first quarterback taken."
If the Browns do take Goff, Wentz could attract the Cowboys at No. 4. Wentz said he's not concerned with that debate, leaving it to media as "fun stuff" to dissect this time of year.
"I want to go somewhere where they believe in myself to be that franchise quarterback whether right away or down the road," Wentz said. "That's what's important to me. I want to go in a good situation, get good coaching and just keep playing ball."
rcampbell@tribpub.com
