Erik Ainge QB 6’6 225 Tennessee 5.00

Ainge had a very good freshman season throwing for 1,952 yards and a school freshman record 17 touchdowns, while completing 55.1% of his passes. With huge expectations as a sophomore after that impressive debut, Ainge took two steps back in 2005. He struggled, sharing the job with Rick Clausen. He completed just over 45% of his passes and threw for just 737 yards, with a TD/INT ratio of 5/7. He bounced back in a major way as a junior, throwing for 2,989 yards while completing 67% of his passes for 19 touchdowns and nine picks. Ainge saved his best for last, having an excellent senior season. He threw for 3,157 yards and a career high 29 touchdowns and just ten interceptions, while completing 63% of his passes.

Ainge has excellent height and can easily see the entire field from the pocket. He has the arm capable of throwing the ball anywhere on the field, and the ability to side step the rush in the pocket. He bounced back from a disappoint sophomore season to have a breakout junior season where he turned into a legitimate prospect. He has developed into a very accurate passer and has not turned the ball over much. He has a lot of upside left once he reaches the next level.

Consistency through his senior season is the big issue. He had an impressive freshman season, followed by a terrible sophomore campaign. He closed out his career with two excellent seasons however. Physically, he will need to add more weight to his frame to withstand the beating he will take in the pocket at the next level.

It is shaping up to be a deep quarterback class, and that may hurt Ainge. Matt Ryan has solidified himself at the top, but after him there are a slew of QB’s that could be in any order on different boards. Ainge looks like a second day selection that has potential down the road.