QB John David Booty, USC
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 215 40 Time (pre-pro day): 4.95

PLAYER SUMMARY

Booty left High School early thinking he'll take over for Carson Palmer, but was thwarted by the play of future Heisman Trophy winner Matt Lienart. He finally got the starting QB job for the 2006 season and threw for 3347 yards and 29 TDs, completing 61.7% of his passes with just 9INTs. But much of this year has been a step backwards. While he entered the year as a strong contender for the 2007 Heisman, injury (he missed three games) to both Booty and his O-line derailed the Trojans bid for a National Championship and Booty's hopes for the Heisman. But while his season didn't live up to the hopes (or hypes), in just 10 games, Booty amassed a relatively impressive 2106 yds and 20 TDs while improving his QB rating to a 62.7 and holding at 9INTs for the year.

PROS

Very accurate, with good intelligence and knowledge of the game. Quick release, can make the throws he needs to, but also has the mobility to get out of the pocket and either pick up yards or buy time to make a throw.

CONS

Lacks true top shelf arm strength. Often locks onto a single target and doesn't look them off. Can be pressured into bad decisions - with an injured Offensive line, Booty showed he can have some confidence issues in the pocket, occasionally looking like he was panicked into rushing passes and not waiting for things to develop. When the pressure is on, Booty doesn't hang on for the extra second which could allow his receivers to get open for a play. With an average at best height, he tends to see a fair share of tipped passes. Has also been banged up just enough during his college career to have raised some durability concerns.

THE SNAP

Booty is a fair player, but despite the large numbers and early Heisman hype, is not a lock to be a starting QB at the Pro level. Much of his future value lies in getting in the right system, with a solid QB coach and/or Veteran QB who can utilize his intelligence to to fix the flaws in his game. He also needs to learn to the patience to wait in the pocket just a step longer and allow his receivers to break free.

Both his strengths and weaknesses were in full effect in the recent victory over the Not-Really-Fighting Illini in the Rose Bowl. For the most part, Booty looked like a good prospect hurling quick, fairly accurate throws with good zip on the ball. His numbers certainly point to his upside 25/37, 255yds, 3 TDs - including a gorgeous one in the End Zone to David Ausberry that was perfectly placed where only the WR could get it. It was a quick throw that showed a nice touch and the type of touch that could make him attractive to a team looking to take a shot developing a talent.

On the flip side, Booty's one INT was everything wrong with the USC Senior in one play. He didn't appear to look off his WR, going with his first option the whole way. He didn't even appear to see DB James Harrison haunting the center of the field so when his primary target tripped and fell, Harrison came away with an easy INT. Even if the WR hadn't fallen, it appeared as if Harrison had better position from the get-go than the WR. If Booty is going to succeed at the Pro Level, he needs to be far more aware of the secondary.

He'll also have to avoid the high throws which came later in the game while they didn't hurt in the Rose Bowl (and in the case of Joe McKnight's amazing recovery of a high screen/lateral that went over his head, bounced into his arms and which he took for a huge gain it actually worked better than the screen play would have) he can't afford to leave his WRs hung out to dry like that in the NFL or he'll never win their confidence, much less a starting role in a Pro Offense.

Overall, Booty has some talent and has the potential but will take some time to develop if he ever does into a starting QB. He's a player who will likely end up a good back-up on some team. While he may have the talent to develop into a starter, no team should reach very far for him as his development will take some time to come to fruition. As of now, he's a late 1st day pick, at best more likely a second day project with upside.