Latest Report Has Miami Hurricanes Brad Kaaya Leaning Towards NFL

NFL Draft Scout’s Matt Miller sent out a Tweet this morning saying that Miami Hurricanes Quarterback Brad Kaaya is leaning towards entering the NFL Draft.

This is the latest of Kaaya’s saga of will he or won’t he enter the draft. Kaaya does not have to make his intentions known until January 16. The reports have gone back and forth about what Kaaya is going to do. There has been no indication on which way Kaaya is leaning other than various reports both ways.

He doesn’t have to make his decision known until January 16. The likelihood is that earliest he would announce his decision will not be until after Miami plays West Virginia in the Russell Athletic Bowl on December 28.

Kaaya’s stock has fallen significantly as the season has progressed. Once projected as a potential top ten pick, Kaaya is now predicted to be a mid round pick. Miller does not have Kaaya being selected in the first two rounds in his latest mock draft that was published December 9.

He has three Quarterback projected as being taken in the first two rounds. All of them have ACC ties. He predicts North Carolina QB Mitch Trubisky to the Chicago Bears with the fourth overall pick in the first round, Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer to the Cleveland Browns at number nine and Clemson’s Deshaun Watson to San Francisco with the the second pick of the second round, 34th overall.

Miller updated his draft board on December 7 and has Kaaya as the 38th ranked player that is draft eligible. He is the fourth highest rated Quarterback after Trubisky, Kizer and Watson.

There are a lot of concerns about Kaaya’s physical ability. He’s been criticized as being “slow footed” and “non-athletic” by a high ranking official to NFL.Com’s move the sticks podcast. A former NFL General Manager told Miller that Kaaya is the most cerebral of the Quarterback prospects.

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An unnamed former NFL General Manager told Miller about Kaaya last month. “He’s so skinny and that back-foot throwing he does scares me, but at least he’s the smartest of the crop.”

Miller did a question and answer session on Twitter last month. Sun Sentinel columnist Omar Kelly asked Miller his opinion of Kaaya.

Some of the things Miller said about Kaaya included:

• In each year he’s shown continued improvement.
• Playing in head coach Mark Richt’s pro-style system, Kaaya is learning how to do things like take a snap under center, execute play-action with his back to the defense and throw routes based on timing. He’s still a work in progress, though.
• Kaaya has some mechanical issues.
  • He too often throws off his back foot while fading away from the line.
• The bad offensive line in front of Kaaya has him seeing ghosts at times. That has him escaping the pocket or rushing through reads when he shouldn’t.
• Kaaya has a lot of positives
  • He’s smart, tough, displays excellent leadership on and off the field and has the accuracy and decision-making skills you want from a starting quarterback.
  • His arm strength isn’t great, but there is enough zip on passes to work at the NFL level.
  • He has quick feet and smart movement in the pocket that brings him to a quick delivery when he climbs the pocket.
  • He he has shown over the years an ability to read defenses and work through progressions from the pocket. His anticipation and timing are pro-level already.
• His tools that are ready to be developed make him a very good option for teams needing a passer.

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Kaaya is an interesting mix. It’s understandable why there are questions about him. He is not the elite athlete that Kizer or Watson is. Being a three year starter, including one in a Pro Style offense is a big positive. He’s clearly ready from the point of view of understanding the position. The game against West Virginia will be Miami’s strongest opponent this season and should provide a further gage on Kaaya’s ability.