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Dan Mullen's History with Developing Quarterbacks

Escambia94

Aerospace Cubicle Engineer (ACE)
Moderator
Dan Mullen, like his predecessor, has built a reputation as a quarterback whisperer. The difference is that Mullen's history goes back to a #1 NFL Draft pick, Alex Smith, and a Heisman winner, Tim Tebow.

  • Joshua Harris was the first QB to popularize the Urban Meyer spread option offense. He totalled 7,260 passing yards, 56 TDs, 1,857 rushing yards, and 41 rushing TDs between 2001 and 2003.
  • Alex Smith totaled 5,233 passing yards, 47 TDs, 1,702 rushing yards, and 15 rushing TDs between 2002 and 2005. He was the #1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.
  • Chris Leak spent half his college career under Mullen's tutelage. Mullen modified the spread option offense to suit Leak's passing skills. Chris totaled 11,213 passing yards, 88 TDs, 137 entire rushing yards, and 13 rushing TDs. Chris led the Gators to a national championship in 2006 by completing 25 passes in 36 attempts for 213 yards and a TD.
  • Tim Tebow shattered just about every record known to man while he was under Mullen's tutelage between 2006 and 2008. Tebow passed for 9,286 yards, 88 TDs, 2,947 rushing yards, and 57 rushing TDs between 2006 and 2009. Tim won the Heisman Trophy in 2007, a national championship in 2008, the Davey O'Brien Award, the Maxwell Award, and was #1 or #2 in passing efficiency from 2007 to 2009.
  • Chris Relf was Mullen's first QB at MSU, and was a dual threat with 3,297 yards passing, 28 TDs, 18 INTs, 1,578 yards rushing, and 9 rushing TDs from 2009 to 2011. He is ranked among the top 10 QBs in school history, and was MVP in back-to-back bowl games.
  • Tyler Russell was a drop-back passer who shared time with Relf and Prescott between 2010 and 2013. His 5,441 passing yards ranks him #4 in school history, and his 42 TDs rack him #2. Russell was on the Heisman watch a couple times in his career.
  • Dak Prescott broke most of Russell's records and ranks atop most of the school's records after passing for 9,327 yards, 70 TDs, 2,521 rushing yards, and 41 rushing TDs. Between 2012 and 2015, Dak led the Bulldogs to a #1 ranking and was on the Heisman and Davey O'Brien watch lists.
  • Nick Fitzgerald has 4,440 yards, 21 TDs, 2,486 rushing yards, and 33 rushing TDs between 2015 and 2017.
Mullen also developed Brian Johnson in 2004 as Alex Smith's backup.
 
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Escambia94

Aerospace Cubicle Engineer (ACE)
Moderator
Just for comparison's sake, his predecessor, Jim McElwain--the other QB whisperer--coached Greg McElroy and Garret Grayson into serviceable QBs.
 

Leakfan12

VIP Member
Just for comparison's sake, his predecessor, Jim McElwain--the other QB whisperer--coached Greg McElroy and Garret Grayson into serviceable QBs.

I'll give Mac credit with Grayson, drafting a QB in the third round from a non-power five conference rarely happens though he hasn't done anything in the NFL. Then again, it's probably going to happen more often with Wentz and possible Josh Allen. Plus ex-coach Mac couldn't do that with Franks who was a four star guy.
 

DRU2012

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
I'll give Mac credit with Grayson, drafting a QB in the third round from a non-power five conference rarely happens though he hasn't done anything in the NFL. Then again, it's probably going to happen more often with Wentz and possible Josh Allen. Plus ex-coach Mac couldn't do that with Franks who was a four star guy.
Just for comparison's sake, his predecessor, Jim McElwain--the other QB whisperer--coached Greg McElroy and Garret Grayson into serviceable QBs.
Basically, as a "QB-guru" or whatever, Mullen has been repeatedly put to the test, in different situations and varying types and levels of talent and supporting casts-- and repeatedly succeeded. MacEllwaine got the rep fast outta the west (lotta questionably high-rated QBs seem to come from out there of late)--and far as I can see flopped in every way at his first real big
BIGtime opportunity--US! I mean, the most notable "trend" at QB for MacEllwaine was to continue and intensify the one we saw during Muschamp's tenure: misusing, misCHOOSING, and in seemingly confused fashion finally driving off what turn out to be pretty good QBs--who go on to prove that ELSEWHERE.
I expect Mullen to make real the "smoke" Mac was blowing when HE came to G-ville.
 

Escambia94

Aerospace Cubicle Engineer (ACE)
Moderator
I think the difference is that Mullen understands the kind of athletes that come out of the Sunshine State. Most of the powerhouse football schools in Florida run offenses that fit more with Mullen's offense than McElwain's/ Nussmeier's (or Roper's or Pease's or Weiss's).
 

DRU2012

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
I think the difference is that Mullen understands the kind of athletes that come out of the Sunshine State. Most of the powerhouse football schools in Florida run offenses that fit more with Mullen's offense than McElwain's/ Nussmeier's (or Roper's or Pease's or Weiss's).
...Which brings us to one of Mullens most notable and promising attributes as a coach with respect to QBs: FLEXIBILITY--system to the player, player to the system. Last time we saw that here was, well, when Mullen was running our offense (and with access to FLORIDA-level talent again, the future looks "hopeful", to say the least).
 

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