The top five quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft share film from a common opponent that could be yet another separator when determining which one to pick.
If you're going to judge these QBs, then why not use the Georgia film? The Bulldogs had eight defensive players selected in last year's draft. SN's latest seven-round mock draft projects five more defensive players, including potential first-round picks Jalen Carter, Kelee Ringo and Nolan Smith – in this year's draft.
ESPN Draft analyst Todd McShay said that film is arguably the most valuable piece when looking at the top quarterbacks.
"With Alabama and Georgia, they are going to be the most-similar to what he's going to see on Sunday, and they're well-coached defenses,” McShay told Sporting News.
Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis, Anthony Richardson and Hendon Hooker all had a chance to face the Bulldogs the last two seasons, and they combined for a 1-8 record. Yet there are some hints from that film that NFL teams might use during the first two days of this year's draft.
Here is a closer look at how each quarterback fared against the Bulldogs:
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Bryce Young, Alabama
- 2021 SEC championship: 26 of 44, 421 yards, 3 TDs, 3 carries, 40 yards, TD
- 2021 CFP championship: 35 of 57, 369 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 4 carries, -43 yards
Young did not see Georgia last season, but he saw the Bulldogs twice in the 2021 regular season in very memorable high-stakes showdowns. Young's performance in Alabama's 41-24 victory in the SEC championship game was a separator in the Heisman Trophy voting, but Georgia adjusted and got their revenge in the SEC championship game by taking away Young as a running threat.
The pressure also got home. Georgia pressured Young 18 times in the first matchup and didn't land a sack. They had 27 pressures in the second matchup, and that led to three sacks. Young still put up prolific numbers, and the two-game completion percentage of 60.3% percent is a number you can expect early in Young's NFL career.
It's also worth noting the CFP championship changed once receiver Jameson Williams left with a knee injury. Young did not have his top two receivers because John Metchie suffered a season-ending injury in the CFP semifinal against Cincinnati. Williams had TD receptions of 67 and 55 yards in the SEC championship game.
In the first matchup, Young had 11 passes of 10 yards or more and seven completions of 20 yards or more. In the second matchup, he had nine passes of 10 yards or more and four of 20 yards or more. He was consistent in both games despite Georgia's adjustments. This is why Young likely will be the first quarterback of the board.
C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
- 2022 CFP Semifinal: 23 of 34, 348 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, 12 carries, 34 yards
Stroud's Georgia film is strong in almost every area. He's decisive in the pocket – especially when stepping up. He had a 140.3 passer rating in the game – and the 31-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison Jr. in the first quarter was a great example of directing traffic and extending plays out of the pocket. Stroud did that while pressured a season-high 19 times in that game, and that included four sacks.
It's worth noting Stroud was 4 of 8 for 29 yards after Harrison left after a helmet-to-helmet hit with 35 seconds left in the third quarter. Stroud ran more after Harrison's injury – and that included a 27-yard scramble that nearly set up the go-ahead field-goal attempt. Ohio State lost 42-41, but this was a statement game for Stroud considering the criticism he faced after a second straight loss to Michigan.
Stroud's accuracy, which was on display at the 2023 NFL Combine, is what stands out most in the Georgia film. Yes, Ohio State has first-round NFL talent at receiver, but Stroud delivered the ball on time almost all the time in that game. Young and Stroud are the only two quarterbacks on this list who actually threw off the Bulldogs' nasty defense.
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Will Levis, Kentucky
- 2021 regular season: 32 of 42, 192 yards, 2 TDs, 10 carries, 12 yards
- 2022 regular season: 20 of 31, 206 yards, TD, INT, 5 carries, 26 yards
Levis has the least four- and five-star talent around him and he had a different offensive coordinator in those games, but the Kentucky quarterback played reasonably well. Levis had a 71.2% completion percentage in those games. He was pressured 22 times on drop-back passes in those games, and he took just one sack. The ability to get rid of the football is a plus, and Levis did not make mistakes.
Levis' first throw against Georgia in the 2022 matchup is an outside-shoulder fade to Barrion Brown for a 31-yard gain – and his best throw in that game. Granted, Kentucky did not take too many chances in either game. In the last matchup, Levis had five completions of 10 yards or more and two completions of 20 yards or more. While he didn't make too many mistakes, he also did not lead a TD drive in that game. Levis arguably better in the 2021 matchup against a more-stacked Georgia defense. That includes drives of 13 and 22 plays.
This might be part of the reason why Levis is considered a late riser who could be selected in the top five of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Anthony Richardson, Florida
- 2021 regular season: 12 of 20, 82 yards, 2 INTs, 12 carries, 26 yards
- 2022 regular season: 18 of 37, 271 yards, TD, 11 carries, 19 yards
According to Pro Football Focus, Richardson was pressured 30 times on those 57 passing attempts and sacked five times in those losses to the Bulldogs. When given time, Richardson made a few nice plays in the 2022 matchup. Richardson was a non-factor in the running game, and the 52.6% completion percentage is rough.
Georgia also had Richardson scouted well. In last year's game, the first four drives were three and outs, and even when Richardson escaped the pocket the Bulldogs' defense kept him contained.
Richardson also had 10 completions of 10 yards or more and four completions of 20 yards or more inlast year's year matchup. That included a 79-yard pass to Xzavier Henderson that cut the Bulldogs lead to 28-20 in the third quarter before Georgia slammed the door with a pair of TD passes. He made enough throws in the intermediate and deep passing game, not to mention five throwaways when plays were dead, without throwing interceptions. It was one of the better performances against Georgia last season, even if it amounted to a 80 passer rating.
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Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
- 2021 regular season: 24 of 37, 244 yards, TD, INT, 17 carries, 7 yards
- 2022 regular season: 23 of 33, 195 yards, INT, 18 carries, 17 yards
Georgia sacked Hooker 14 times in those two games, including eight in last year's 27-13 loss. Hooker led a touchdown drive on the first drive of the 2021 matchup against the Bulldogs, but it was a complete struggle after that. Hooker was held to a passer rating lower than 100 three times in two seasons, and two of those games were against Georgia.
The Bulldogs did a fantastic job of taking Hooker out of the running game and limiting the chunk plays. In the 2021 matchup, Hooker had two completions of 20 yards or more, including a 51-yard pass to Cedric Tillman in the fourth quarter. In last year's loss, Hooker had just one completion of 20 yards or more – a desperation fourth-and-8 connection to Jalin Hyatt for 28 yards.
The Bulldogs did not allow Hooker to beat them in the down-field vertical passing game. Will Hooker be able to rectify that question against NFL defenses?
