By Adam Aniba
This year's draft features multiple dual-threat prospects who have the potential to be franchise signal callers on the next level. After the 1st round, there's a significant drop off, but one particular QB still boasts significant value on Day 3 of the draft.
Former Washington Redskins and UCLA Bruins tight end Rick "Doc" Walker had high praise for Bruins QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson. I asked Walker his thoughts on the UCLA signal caller and he had the following to say.
"Love his heart. Can make all the throws, Fits todays RPO sets. Size may be questioned? Worth a mid round pick will make a team. Great leader need the right fit".
Dorian Thompson-Robinson
6'2" 203 lbs | QB | UCLA
Proj 5th Rd Grade
Career (50 games) 860/1,359 10,710 yds for 88 TDs & 36 ints
*(Rushing) 471 att for 1,826 yds with 28 TDs
2022 (13 games) 266/382 3,169 yds for 27 TDs & 10 ints
*(Rushing) 118 att for 645 yds with 12 TDs
Background
Thompson-Robinson grew up in Las Vegas, NV and played quarterback for Bishop Gorman HS. During his junior year, DTR was used in a gadget role as a subpackage QB/WR. He threw for 3 touchdowns (21 of 31 passing attempts), ran for 6 TDs and caught 22 passes for 397 yards for 8 scores.
He led his team to a 13-win season and the 2017 State Championship as a senior, completing 176 of 256 passing attempts for 3,275 yards and 38 touchdowns with 3 interceptions. He also ran for 426 yards and 7 touchdowns, which led to an invite to play in the Under Armour All-America Game.
ESPN ranked DTR as a 4-star recruit, #2 dual-threat signal caller in the nation and #34 on their National Top 300 list. The Bishop Gorman quarterback was highly recruited by Michigan, Cal, UCLA,, UNC, FSU, UGA, Texas, Alabama among others. The QB ultimately committed to play for the Bruins.
As a true freshman in '18 DTR saw action in 10 games. Although DTR came off the bench on a few occasions, he added a spark to the Bruins offense. His best performance took place vs Washington when he threw for 272 yards and accounted for 2 touchdowns.
The following season in 2019, the Bruins signal caller had a more significant role and started 11 games. On the season, DTR recorded 2,899 yards of total offense with 21 touchdown passes (tied for 10th on the UCLA single-season list).
His markee performance came against Washington State. Trailing by 32 points in the 3rd quarter, Thompson-Robinson put the offensive on his back and led the Bruins to a comeback victory. He threw for 507 yards and 5 TDs, in addition he rushed for 57 yards and 2 more touchdowns. The Bruins signal caller set a single game record with 564 yards of total offense.
Fast forward to 2021 and DTR started 11 games. The Bruins quarterback led UCLA to a #1 ranking in the Pac-12 with a 36.5 points per game average, passing efficiency (159.94), yards per completion (13.69 yards), passing yards per attempt (8.51 yards), total offense (274.26 yards) and total offensive touchdowns (30 TDs). He ranked #2 in the Pac-12 with 21 passing TDs.
Thompson-Robinson ran for at least 80 yards in 4 games (ran for multiple TDs in 3 games) in '21. He was named to the AP's 1st-Team All-Pac-12 and 2nd-Team All-Pac-12 by the Pac-12 coaches. He finished the season #10 in the Pac-12 in rushing yards/game (55.36)
As a 5th year senior in '22, Thompson-Robinson started 12 games. He threw for 2,873 yards with a completion percent of 69.4 (8.0 yards per pass) with 25 TDs and a QB rating of 108.3. He rushed for 720 yards and 12 touchdowns (6.6 yards per run).
During the '22 season, DTR ranked #9 nationally in points responsible for (238 pts), #10 in points responsible for per game (18.3 pts), #19 nationally in passing efficiency (157.4), #18 in passing touchdowns nationally.
The Bruins signal caller was a All-Pac-12 honorable mention by the league coaches and Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist season.
PRO
Fearless and thrives when facing an aggressive pass rush
Arm elasticity is impressive, displaying the ability to throw the ball from any angle
Athletically gifted and shifty
Field general who was extremely durable, played through multiple lower body injuries and is capable of taking over games
Displays the ability to go through his progressions quickly and thrives in quick game/RPO concepts
CONS
As a dual-threat, will need to add mass to his frame for the NFL grind
Awkward release point/throwing motion
Footwork is undisciplined and needs refinement
Turnovers a slight concern (10 fumbles in '22)
Decent arm, but long-ball tends to float
Outlook
Thompson-Robinson completed his career as UCLA's all-time leader in total offense (12,536-only UCLA player to ever record over 12,000 yards), completions (860), total touchdowns with 116.
DTR's ability as a runner and a passer make him the ideal developmental NFL signal caller. His quick release and ability make multiple reads rapidly, will only help him on the next level.
The UCLA quarterback won't blow people away with his arm strength, but his ability to make a play when the game is on the line makes him special. Although DTR likely gets drafted on Day 3, in time he could be a key back up or even a starter if everything falls into place.
*Games Watched- 9/17/22 S.Alabama. 9/30 vs Washington, 10/8 vs Utah, 10/22 vs Oregon, 11/19 vs USC & 11/25 vs California
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