ESPN’s Chris Mortenson posted some of the Wonderlic scores for the quarterbacks* entering the NFL draft:
Alabama’s Greg McElroy: 43
Missouri’s Blain Gabbert: 42
Florida State’s Christian Ponder: 35
Iowa’s Ricky Stanzi: 30
TCU’s Andy Dalton: 29
Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett: 26
Auburn’s Cam Newton: 21
Washington’s Jake Locker: 20
Both Mortenson and NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert wonder what these scores mean. The test is supposed to indicate a players mental aptitude for football but that’s certainly debatable.
Having said that, what these scores indicate to me is something totally different. Now a days, agents supply players with plenty of information about this test. A lot of practice takes place before a potential draftee goes in to take it. In fact, I’ve heard rumors that many of them have the questions. Certainly it is evident and that a player can significantly enhance his score through smart preparation. And smart preparation is a large part of what the NFL is about, especially if you are a quarterback.
I’m not saying that this is a major indicator of NFL success nor do I think a Wonderlic score should play a huge role in taking a player off of a teams board. But I look at those on the bottom of that list and I wonder just how much of what I see is a lack desire to do the little things to be the best you can be. And if, as I suspect, it translates to the NFL, then teams need to take the score seriously.
*For those who are wondering, Jay Cutler scored a 26 in 2006.