(STATS) – Maybe, just maybe, former North Dakota State quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Easton Stick could have been reunited.
One pick after the Los Angeles Chargers selected Wentz in the fifth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday – with the 166th overall pick – the Philadelphia Eagles went with a quarterback.
However, the Chargers foresee Stick fitting into the growing group of NDSU alumni in the NFL. There were eight players last season.
It was hard for the Chargers to bypass Stick, who as Wentz’s successor at NDSU went 49-3 as a starter – an FCS quarterback record for wins – and led the Bison to back-to-back FCS national titles in his final two seasons. During his time in the program, the Bison won four of their record seven titles.
“He’s a very accurate passer, especially on play-action. You’ll see him show his toughness as a runner,” said NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah. “The only question is he doesn’t have that same size obviously as Carson Wentz did, and he doesn’t quite have that same arm strength. But he’s going to come in and learn your offense immediately, and they love this kid at the school. I mean, they sell him hard.”
Playing in a pro-style offense, Stick finished his NDSU career as the school’s career record holder for passing yards (8,693), total offensive yards (11,216), touchdown passes (88) and total touchdowns (129).
Stick, assessed Dane Brugler of The Athletic, “exudes competitive toughness and razor-sharp intelligence with the winning intangibles that NFL coaches will appreciate. Overall, Stick is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks that the FCS level has ever produced, but his average arm talent limits his NFL ceiling, projecting as a possible backup …”
Philip Rivers is the Chargers’ starting quarterback, backed by Tyrod Taylor.
The Eagles, with the 167th overall pick, selected quarterback Clayton Thorson from Northwestern.
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