Brian Brohm, 2008 NFL Draft Prospect

Quarterback Louisville 6' 4" 224 lbs. Speed: 4.69 Senior

I was surprised Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm didn’t enter the 2007 NFL Draft. The 6’4” 224 pound signal caller from Louisville, Kentucky would have added some real meat to the weak QB class to the 2007 NFL Draft. He probably would have been the 3^rd quarterback drafted after JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn. But to his credit, he decided to return for his senior campaign. Brohm has been a starter since he was a freshman, he just knows how to win, due to his play in his first three seasons, he will be known as one of the most winning quarterbacks in school history, posting an impressive18-3 record as a starter.

"This (not to enter the 2007 NFL Draft) was a very difficult decision," said Brohm. "I talked it over a lot with my family and I think coming back to school is the best thing for me at this time. I love playing at the University of Louisville and still have many goals out there that I want to achieve."

Brohm showed a lot of toughness in 2006, after missing two games with a thumb injury; he threw for a career-best 3,049 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was a second team All-BIG EAST performer and led the Cardinals to a 12-1 record. He plays big in big games and was named the Most Valuable Player of the Orange Bowl after completing 24-of-34 passes for 311 yards in the Cardinals' 24-13 win over 15th-ranked Wake Forest.

As only a sophomore in 2005 Brohm burst onto the national spotlight. He was named the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year, after throwing for 2,883 yards and 19 touchdowns. He finished second in the nation in passing efficiency and completed a remarkable 68.8 percent of his throws.

After just his junior season, Brohm emerged as a very seasoned college quarterback, he stands fourth in school history with 6,751 passing yards and 41 career touchdown throws. He currently holds the school record for completion percentage at 66.2 percent. He also ranks third in school history in total offense with 6,841 yards. Brohm also has eleven 300-yard passing games in his career.

Update: In 2007 Steve Kragenthorpe took over for Bobby Petrino as head coach, and the Cardinals struggled. Their defense was horrible and they didn't even get a post season bowl invitation. Due to Louisville's struggles and his higher than normal interceptions (12), some NFL Draft analysts have downgraded his stock. Not me, Brian Brohm is still an elite quarterback and he has excellent upside for the NFL. Brohm is probably the most developed QB in the 2008 NFL Draft and looks to be a franchise quarterback. He is big, strong and has a powerful, accurate arm. He finished 2007 ranked 8th in pass efficiency with a 65.12 completion percentage. He amassed 4,024 yards and an amazing 30 touchdowns. His completion percentage improved from 2006 (63.4) to 2007 (65.1). I still look for Brohm to be a first round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft. I don't think he will get past Baltimore, Minnesota or Chicago.

QB Brian Brohm (6-3 3/8, 232): Ran the 40 in 4.69 and 4.70, had a 4.41 short shuttle, ran position drills and kept everything else from the combine. Reportedly he looked very good in his  passing workout throwing 75 passes with the ball rarely touching the ground.