Carson Wentz: What you need to know
Here's what you need to know about Carson Wentz, who could be the Eagles' first round-draft selection after the team made a blockbuster trade with Cleveland to get the No. 2 pick.
Here's what you need to know about Carson Wentz, who could be the Eagles' first-round draft selection after the team made a blockbuster trade with Cleveland to get the No. 2 pick.
Position: Quarterback
College: North Dakota State
Hometown: Bismarck, N.D.
Age: 23
Date of birth: Dec. 30, 1992
Height: 6-5
Weight: 235 pounds
Hands: 10 inches
40-yard time: 4.77 seconds
Vertical jump: 30.5 inches
Standing long jump: 118 inches
3-cone drill: 6.86 seconds
Skinny: Wentz started only two years for the Football Championship Subdivision champions, and he was limited to seven games last season because of a broken wrist. But when he was on the field, Wentz impressed with a combination of size, passing skills, and athletic ability. He completed 62.5 percent of his passes last season for 1,651 yards and 17 touchdowns, with four interceptions. He also rushed for six touchdowns. He has prototypical size and has impressed evaluators off the field.
Wentz said, when asked about being a franchise quarterback: "First and foremost you got to win. I think being a winner in the NFL, that will take you place for sure. I think for me coming out of North Dakota State, I think the track record speaks for itself as a winner. So when I think of a franchise quarterback not only do I think of the physical ability, but I think of being a winner, winning ballgames, taking command, being a leader. All those things come to mind."
In his first year as a starter for the Bison in 2014, all Wentz did was throw for 3,111 yards and 25 touchdowns, leading the team to its fourth consecutive FCS Championship. What did the Bismarck, N.D. native do for an encore? Just come back from a broken right wrist that sidelined him for two months to lead NDSU in a fifth-straight title game victory.
He started seven games in his senior year, completing 62.5 percent of his passes for 1,651 yards and 17 touchdowns (and four interceptions) while also running for six scores. Intelligence and work ethic are no issues for Wentz, who was named to the College Sports Information Directors Association All-American squad for the second-straight year.
Coverage from our archives
January 28: Jeff McLane analyzes why the Eagles (and many other NFL teams) like Carson Wentz
January 29: Les Bowen watches Carson Wentz live up to the hype at the Senior Bowl
April 14: Mike Mayock grades Carson Wentz as the best quarterback in the draft pool
April 19: John Smallwood makes the case for why the Eagles should go all-in to draft Carson Wentz
Coverage from other media
April 15: Los Angeles Times: North Dakota State's Carson Wentz is a 'no-brainer' choice for the L.A. Rams
April 14: San Francisco Chronicle: Cal's Jared Goff in mix for Rams at No. 1