NFL Draft Dog

Curtis Painter, 2009 NFL Draft Prospect

Curtis Painter, NFL ProspectQuarterback
6' 4" 224 lbs.
Junior
Purdue
Purdue

Meet one of the very best quarterbacks for the 2009 NFL Draft, Curtis Painter. What makes Painter special besides his size, accuracy and arm strength is his lightening quick release. Painter gets the ball out of his hand faster than any quarterback in college football this year. The owner of the slowest release is 2008 NFL Draft Prospect Andre’ Woodson from Kentucky, that’s not to say Painter will be a better NFL quarterback than Woodson, there is a lot more to playing quarterback than a quick release, but it sure gives you an advantage. Cornerbacks have more difficulty jumping your routes and pass rushers don’t have as much time to get to you, or to swat the ball out of your hand. Painter's release is similar to the Cowboys' Tony Romo.

As a redshirt freshman in 2005, Painter was named honorable mention Freshman All-American and to the Big Ten All-Freshman team by The Sporting News. He played in nine games, with five starts. The gunslinger completed 89 of 170 passes for 932 yards with three touchdowns. Painter finished strong, he started the last five games of that year and led the Boilermakers to 3-2 record. After that fantastic first year, it was clear who the quarterback of the future was.

Last year (2006) Painter set the Big Ten season passing record with 3,985 yards. Painter broke the record of a fellow Boilermaker, Drew Brees. Painter started all 14 games and completing 315 passes. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten from the coaches, a USA Today College Football Player of the Week nomination, Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors.

So far this year (2007) Painter has been red hot. He came into the Minnesota game (Sept 22nd) leading the Big Ten in scoring offense and pass efficiency (68.6%) at nearly 50 points per game. Against Minnesota Painter racked up a total of 338 yards on the Gophers. Purdue is undefeated at 4-0 and Painter, after four games, has thrown for 1,290 yards and 16 touchdowns. Unless Painter comes out early and enters the 2008 NFL Draft, which I doubt, I predict Painter will be one of the top three quarterback prospects for the 2009 NFL Draft.