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The quarterback class in the 2014 NFL Draft got a little bit weaker on Tuesday, as Oregon Ducks passer Marcus Mariota announced he will stay for another year and will not enter the NFL Draft.
More on Mariota
More on Mariota
Mariota, 20, has completed 63.1 percent of his passes as a sophomore with the Ducks, accumulating 3,412 yards passing with 30 touchdowns and four interceptions. He's also a threat on the ground, tallying 582 yards and nine touchdowns as a rusher on just 81 attempts.
In the latest rankings from SB Nation's Dan Kadar, Mariota was ranked as the eighth-overall prospect and second-best quarterback. In the latest mock draft from Kadar, Mariota was projected to be selected with the sixth overall selection by the Minnesota Vikings.
At 6-4, 212, Mariota has the size of a prototypical NFL prospect and has the big arm and athleticism to boot. However, after a strong beginning of the year that had him at the top of the Heisman Trophy race, Mariota has tossed four interceptions in his last two games and the Ducks lost two games in November to drop out of the race for the BCS National Championship.
Louisville junior Teddy Bridgewater, Fresno State senior Derek Carr, UCLA redshirt sophomore Brett Hundley and LSU senior Zach Mettenberger round out Kadar's top five quarterback prospects for the 2014 NFL Draft.
