Bortles might not be a household name to the average fan but in due time he will become one. The junior quarterback, who led Central Florida to a 12-1 record and a birth in the Fiesta Bowl beating Baylor 52-42, finished this season with 3,580 yards and 25 touchdowns. The BCS game was the first in the schools history. Potentially the first quarterback taken off the board in April, the 6'3" Bortles has the build of an NFL ready quarterback and has above average arm strength to make all the throws and can fit it in a tight window if he has to. He doesn't have an elite arm however, but he can deliver the ball down the field with some accuracy. He also has the ability to escape the the pocket and keep the play alive while also keeping his eyes down field. He can pick up the necessary yards to get a first down and doesn't always go down easy because he is such a big quarterback. He led the Golden Nights into Happy Valley in the third week of the season and came out with a 34-31 victory over Penn State. Then two weeks later he led his team into Louisville and beat another potential top ten pick in Teddy Bridgewater and his then undefeated Louisville Cardinals. At the next level he's going to have to better his accuracy to make all the throws. He also has the tendency to stare down the receiver and allow the defensive backs to make a play on the ball. The comparisons have been made to former number one overall pick Andrew Luck with his size and ability to escape from the pocket. The Houston Texans hold the top pick in the draft and with Bill O'Brien taking over and having seen Bortles in person, he might look at the Central Florida product and see a franchise type quarterback. Bortles has the NFL Combine and his pro day to show scouts he is worthy of a top ten pick.
Prediction: 4th overall to the Cleveland Browns
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