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Is Syracuse Orange senior quarterback Ryan Nassib potentially a better pro prospect than USC's Matt Barkley, Georgia's Aaron Murray, Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater or West Virginia's Geno Smith? That's what the writers at Pro Football Weekly believe.
Releasing its annual All-American team, which "honors college football's most talented players and is determined based on extensive evaluation and considerable feedback from NFL evaluators, taking into consideration how players grade out both in their assignments and by the quality of critical playing traits," Pro Football Weekly awarded Nassib with its highest honor - its starting quarterback slot.
Nassib beat out both Bridgewater and Alabama Crimson Tide junior quarterback A.J. McCarron for the honor, as they earned honorable mention nods.
For the last two seasons, Pro Football Weekly's All-American quarterback was last year's No. 1 NFL Draft selection Andrew Luck. Barkley, Robert Griffin III, Cam Newton, Jake Locker and Ryan Mallett where other quarterbacks that earned honorable mention honors.
The Orange's three-year starter led the Big East Conference in passing (301.6 yards per game) and set single-season school records in yards (3,619) and touchdowns (24). He earned All-Big East Second Team honors and was named a 2012 NFF Scholar-Athlete for his success in the classroom, in the community and on the field.
Nassib also helped SU (7-5) closeout its season by winning five of its last six games and earning a postseason invitation to the Pinstripe Bowl, Dec. 29, where he will match up against West Virginia and its star quarterback, Smith.
At this point, Nassib's draft profile is skyrocketing: NFLDraftScout.com and CBSSports.com have him ranked the fourth-best quarterback and a possible second-round selection.
That stock will only go up if Nassib impresses in the Pinstripe Bowl and does well in his Pro Day and at the NFL Combine.