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NFL Draft 2016: Michigan QB Jake Rudock shows off accuracy at Pro Day

By Patrick Schmidt

Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Jake Rudock (15) throws the ball in the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Jake Rudock (15) throws the ball in the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan quarterback Jake Rudock turned in a stellar performance at his Pro Day and could elevate himself to be a late-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Jake Rudock had a solid career with the Iowa Hawkeyes before transferring to play for Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines for his final season, but nothing that would suggest he’d be a future NFL quarterback.

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But one season with Harbaugh who has a track record of developing quarterbacks saw Rudock have a career-year for the Wolverines. The 6-3, 207-pound quarterback threw for 3,018 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions for the rejuvenated Michigan football program.

He finished his season on a high note in the final five games with 14 touchdowns to only two interceptions while averaging 314.8 passing yards per game as Michigan went 4-1 down the stretch. His ‘wow’ moment came when he threw for 440 yards and six touchdowns in the win over Indiana and his second ‘wow’ moment came today at his Pro Day.

Rudock isn’t thought of as a future franchise quarterback in the NFL and he’d be lucky to have a career as a backup somewhere, but maybe that perception is changing after opening the eyes of scouts, according to NFL Media’s Gil Brandt.

The former NFL executive said Rudock had a “good, not great arm” and was very accurate during his scripted workout. He ran the 40 in 4.85 and 4.91 seconds, had a 29-inch vertical and 9-foot-3 broad jump. He also showed some mobility, running the 20-yard short shuttle in 4.31 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.06 seconds.

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Now, Rudock isn’t going to move past Carson Wentz or Jared Goff in the quarterback hierarchy for this year’s draft, but he put himself in a position to be a consideration for a team to take a flier on him in the late rounds or get an invite to a rookie minicamp.

Michigan has turned out NFL quarterbacks for decades and with his Pro Day performance, there’s now a chance Rudock can be the next in line to go from Ann Arbor to the NFL.

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