Carson Wentz bio box
Facts and figures about North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz
CARSON WENTZ
Quarterback, North Dakota State
Height: 6-5. Weight: 237.
Throws: Right.
Age: 23.
Born: Dec. 30, 1992, in Bismarck, N.D.
Arm length: 33 1/4 inches.
Hands: 10 inches.
40-yard dash: 4.77 seconds.
Wonderlic score: 40 . . . 50 is perfect; 20 is about average for NFL prospects.
Twitter: @cj_wentz
Instagram: cj_wentz11
In college: Started for two seasons, leading North Dakota State to the FCS title each year. Wentz was the player of the game in the championship both times. As a junior, he scored the winning touchdown on a 5-yard run with 37 seconds left to beat Illinois State. This past season, he ran for two more TDs and passed for a third as NDSU beat Jacksonville State . . . Wentz missed eight games in 2015 with a broken right wrist, his throwing hand. Came back in time to start the title game . . . NDSU has won five consecutive FCS titles . . . Wentz's first career start, in 2014, was at Division I Iowa State, where he rallied the Bison from a 14-0 deficit to a stunning win . . . Was valedictorian in high school and carried a 4.0 GPA throughout college.
NFL.com scouting report: Stands tall in pocket and has high release point . . . Poised in pocket and able to take a hit (at the D-IAA level, at least) . . . Can escape from pressure and gain yards on broken plays . . . Studious, with a good work ethic . . . Needs to improve footwork and consistency on deeper out-routes, common issues with young quarterbacks . . . Doesn't move well to his left.
Notable: Last five I-AA quarterbacks drafted in first round: Joe Flacco, 2008 (Delaware, 18th overall); Steve McNair , 1995 (Alcorn State, third); Ken O'Brien, 1983 (UC-Davis, 24th); Phil Simms, 1979 (Morehead State, seventh); Doug Williams, 1978 (Grambling, 17th).
Just to be clear: Wentz attended North Dakota State. Flyers coach Dave Hakstol formerly coached at North Dakota.
Fun fact: The only player the Eagles have picked out of North Dakota State was linebacker Joe Mays, a sixth-rounder in 2008. Wentz will be the first Bisons player to be picked in the first round.
- Ed Barkowitz