What's Next For Terrelle Pryor In The NFL?

The Carolina Panthers took the leap of faith on the highly-controversial Heisman Trophy winner and "entertainer" Cam Newton with the first overall pick in the  2011 NFL Draft.  

The former Auburn Tiger was a non-stop target of media scrutiny throughout the draft process for allegedly being involved in a pay-for-play scandal orchestrated by his father and former NFL player, Cecil.

It appears the NFL Supplemental Draft will have its own controversial and talented quarterback prospect of its own.  In the case of the now former quarterback of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Terrelle Pryor and his recent decision to forgo his senior year down in Columbus, it is a case of convenience. 

Due to the resignation of Jim Tressel after the fallout of the "Inkgate" ignominy of Buckeye football players trading autographs for tattoos.  Pryor was among the five starters suspended for the first five games of the upcoming 2011 season and this was the only logical decision he could make.

The Saskatchewan Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League claimed his player rights after his choice to turn pro, but Pryor has refused to consider the CFL an option and stated that he wishes to play in the NFL as a quarterback, instead.

Here is the dilemma for prospective NFL teams about Pryor—is he a quarterback or a wide receiver?  And despite finishing 31-4 in his three years at Ohio State and leading the Buckeyes to put an end to the BCS drought with wins over Oregon and Arkansas, many teams at the next level may not envision Pryor as a legitimate QB prospect.

The nation’s top-ranked quarterback in 2008 has dealt with accuracy, maturity and in-game decision issues since arriving in Columbus.  Despite exemplifying a steady progression from a run-first athlete into a pocket passer from his freshman to junior campaign, it seems like the mental nuances of being a quarterback at the next level might not be in the cards.

Since finishing 8-1 as a freshman in 2008 and taking over as the full-time starter in ’09, Pryor improved his numbers through the air from 2,094 in ’09 to 2,772 last season and his completion percentage from 56.6 to a very solid 65.0, as well as his touchdown total from 18 to 27.  His numbers witnessed a slight decline on the ground, however.  Pryor pounded it out for 779 yards and seven scores in 2009 and picked up 757 yards and four touchdowns in 2010.  Is that mere drop-off an indicator of his growth from a running quarterback to more of a traditional drop-back passer, or is it due to better game-planning and opposing defenses?

For Pryor to succeed in the NFL he will have to realize that the defensive players are stronger, faster, more intelligent and will not be taken down with just a mere stiff-arm so easily like in college.

His best opportunity to find success in the NFL would come as either a wide receiver or a wildcat specialist, as he does have the tall physique and athletic frame at 6-foot-6 and 233 pounds. 

He possesses the ability to create mismatches in the redzone, as evidenced by his five-yard TD reception from Todd Boeckman in the Tositos© Fiesta Bowl as a freshman against the Texas Longhorns.  Pryor also connected on a 20-yard touchdown from freshman quarterback Jordan Hall in a 73-20 destructive blowout against Eastern Michigan.

If the right team combined with the right system happens to need a red zone threat at wide out becomes interested, he may just embark on success at the next level—in a completely new role.  The question that Pryor must answer is if he’s going to be the next Matt Jones, Kordell Stewart or Eric Crouch or the second coming of a Hines Ward or Antwan Randel-El?

Follow Robert on Twitter at @Robert_Cobb.