His combination of size — 6 feet, 6 inches, 235 pounds — and speed — he clocked a 4.36 in last week’s pro workout — is enticing enough.
Most of Pryor’s Ohio State highlights were of him eluding defenders, if not just out-racing them. Long and lanky, he never appeared to be going that fast.
He even caught a TD pass as a freshman from Todd Boeckman in the Fiesta Bowl against Texas.
As a QB, Pryor has as much chance to help Oakland as Tim Tebow had with Denver. As any combination of wildcat, wideout or inside receiver, Pryor can provide immediate depth after he sits out games 1-5, as mandated by the NFL.
We’ve seen this before. Antwaan Randle El was as elusive — and effective — a QB who has ever played in the Big Ten (Indiana). He had no chance of taking that game into the NFL.
Brad Smith (Missouri) was another great college passer and runner. The Jets and Bills are benefitting from his position switch.
Pryor isn’t even the first OSU quarterback who likely won’t play the position on Sundays. Rex Kern, the sophomore leader of the 1968 national champion Buckeyes, was a cornerback and safety for the Baltimore Colts and Bills before injuries derailed his career.
Here’s what I wouldn’t do with Pryor: Line him up at tight end and instruct him to block nine out of 10 plays. That could be his quickest way out of the league.
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