Former NFL QB: Zach Wilson Is A ‘Superstar,’ ‘Clear-Cut Number One Quarterback In This Draft’
Mar 3, 2021, 3:02 PM | Updated: 4:20 pm
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) rushes against USC Trojans in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. BYU won 30-27 in overtime. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former NFL quarterback Chris Simms said that BYU’s Zach Wilson is a “superstar” and the “clear-cut number one quarterback” in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft.
RELATED STORIES
Simms praised Wilson during a segment of his NBC Sports Radio program, ProFootballTalk Live with Mike Florio.
Chris Simms’ 2021 NFL Draft QB Rankings
The former Texas Longhorns gunslinger began his quarterback breakdown for the NFL Draft by listing Wilson above Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence.
“He is the clear-cut number one quarterback in this draft,” Simms said of Wilson. “I love Trevor Lawrence. There’s a lot I like. But I think Zach Wilson and him, there’s a separation there for my money, and what I see, and what I’ve evaluated.”
Most NFL experts project Lawrence going to the Jacksonville Jaguars will the top pick in April’s NFL Draft.
Here is how Simms ranked the top quarterback prospects:
- Zach Wilson (BYU)
- Trevor Lawrence (Clemson)
- Mac Jones (Alabama)
- Kellen Mond (Texas A&M)
- Justin Fields (Ohio State)
- Trey Lance (North Dakota State)
My 2021 Draft QB Rankings. Taping the podcast soon with full breakdown/explanation. pic.twitter.com/dkzlcKeZEJ
— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) March 3, 2021
Zach Wilson “is a superstar”
“Zach Wilson, to me, is a superstar,” Simms said. “He is a superstar that is very, very special.”
Some of the current NFL signal-callers that Simms compared Wilson to included Buffalo’s Josh Allen and NFL MVPs in Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes.
“Zach Wilson is going to be able to play in any offense and make it work,” Simms continued. “There’s just really not a negative I can point to in his football game.”
“I’ve studied this hard and I feel really confident in what I’m saying,” Simms said.
Simms projected that Wilson will be selected with one of the first two picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. Those picks are currently owned by the Jaguars and the New York Jets.
Zach Wilson Over Trevor Lawrence
Simms isn’t the only former NFL player to state that Wilson should be drafted before Lawrence.
In February, former NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion quarterback Joe Theismann told CBS Sports that he’d take Wilson with the top pick.
“Honestly, yes. Yes. Real close,” Theismann said when asked if he’d draft Wilson before Lawrence. “We’re sort of splitting hairs a little bit here. But yeah, I would as a matter of fact.”
Zach Wilson over Trevor Lawrence?
Former NFL MVP Joe Theismann breaks down why he thinks the BYU gun-slinger is the best QB in the draft.@AmandaGuerraCBS | #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/QE6Z8XO1KL
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) February 3, 2021
Shortly after Theismann’s comments, three-time Super Bowl champion Mark Schlereth said he’s “not so sure” that Lawrence is a better pick than Wilson.
“I’m not so sure that I wouldn’t take Zach Wilson over Trevor Lawrence,” Schlereth said. “His athleticism, His footwork. All that stuff. I was really impressed.”
"I was really impressed.” – @markschlereth after watching film of Zach Wilson.#LocalsInTheNFL #YACPodcast #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL #NFL #NFLDraft
📰: https://t.co/693YwaQmPR
🎙: @1043TheFan
📷: Getty Images pic.twitter.com/ERgayN8Fl7— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 16, 2021
About Zach Wilson
After leading the Cougars to an 11-1 with an impressive junior campaign. Wilson declared for the NFL Draft on January 1.
During his final year with BYU, the Draper, Utah native threw for 3,692 yards, 33 touchdowns, and three interceptions with a completion rate of 74 percent. He also had 254 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
CRITICS: Zach Wilson isn't an NFL quarterback!
Zack Wilson: *shows them video of this*#BYUFootball #BYU @kslsports pic.twitter.com/kubPWzItmG
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) October 25, 2020
Wilson ended his career (2018-20) in Provo passing for 7,652 yards, 56 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions with a 68 percent completion rate.
About Chris Simms
Prior to his NFL career, Simms was a standout quarterback for the Texas Longhorns. After his college career, he was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
Simms played in the league until 2010.
Following his NFL days, Simms became a sports broadcaster. He’s been a part of NBC Sports since 2019.
[ss-signup design_id=”2289525″]
2021 NFL Draft
The 2021 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place in Cleveland, Ohio from April 29 until May 1.
