Jimmy Clausen: NFL Draft Profile

We’ll take a look at former Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen examining his college career at Notre Dame and his decision to declare for the NFL Draft following his junior year.

While in high school, Clausen was touted as an emerging superstar in the making.  A brilliant high school career at Oaks Christian culminated in a perfect 42-0 record while passing for 10,677 yards and 146 touchdowns.  The national media attention and overwhelming praise started in Clausen’s junior year as a Sports Illustrated feature dubbed him “the kid with the golden arm.”  The younger brother of former Tennessee quarterbacks Casey and Rick Clausen, Jimmy was the #1 ranked quarterback for the class of 2007.

After a brilliant high school career, expectations were lofty for the youngest Clausen at Notre Dame, and initially, he didn’t live up to the hype in his freshman campaign.  Clausen would only win one of his first six starts while completing 56.3% of his passes with 1,254 yards passing; nine total touchdowns; six interceptions and was sacked a team record 34 times.  The team finished 3-9, which are the most losses in a season by the Irish.

After a tough freshman season, Clausen improved dramatically in his sophomore season completing 60.9% of his passes; passing for 3,172 yards, 25 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.  His great effort was overshadowed by the Irish’s subpar supporting cast as the team finished with a ghastly record by Notre Dame standards, 7-6.  Ultimately, the season ended on a positive note as Notre Dame trounced Hawaii 49-21 in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.  With the win, Notre Dame ended their nine game Bowl losing streak.  Clausen earned the game’s Co-MVP while setting team records in passing yards (406) and touchdowns (5).

Clausen’s junior year was his official coming-out party while accumulating a 68.8 completion percentage; 3,722 passing yards; 28 touchdowns and four interceptions.  Clausen was named to the second team all America squad after his superb effort in 2009.  However, the Irish faithful suffered the indignity of another tough season, 6-6.

Clausen finished his Notre Dame career with a 16-18 record.  Two games below .500 is a “far cry” from Notre Dame’s reputation as a program with a winning pedigree.  Don’t blame Clausen as the team was bewildered by an idiotic head coach in Charlie Weis and marred in a constant apathetic effort by the defense.

Clausen has officially declared for the 2010 NFL draft after his junior year at Notre Dame.  Is this the right decision?  Yes, depending on your outlook.

Clausen is projected to be the first quarterback taken in the 2010 draft and is 4th overall on Mel Kiper’s Big Board.  To return for his senior year, Clausen would be passing up a potential 30 million dollar signing bonus as a top five pick in the draft.

Conventional wisdom would advise Clausen to return for his senior year, enabling continual development of his mechanics and further preparation for the ferocious defenses that he will encounter in the NFL.  However, injuries are too prevalent in football to risk losing millions; just ask Sam Bradford if he could have done things differently being in that position again as he was projected to be the #1 pick in the 2009 draft after his junior year.  Bradford chose to stay for his senior year and injured his throwing shoulder in the first game of the season, which effectively ended his season and his chances at a colossal signing bonus.

Clausen has the foundation to become a good NFL quarterback.  He is an extremely polished quarterback; his arm strength, mobility, consistency and accuracy are all NFL-worthy.  Just like any young quarterbacks, Clausen will go through the rigors of life in the NFL, but should prevail and become a solid NFL starting quarterback.