K.J. Costello 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6’5
Weight: 225 lbs
School: Mississippi State University
K.J. Costello 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Overview
Born on June 7th, 1997, in Newport Beach, California, Costello attended Santa Margarita Catholic High School. During his high school career, Costello completed 487 passes for 6948 yards with 54 touchdowns. He also had 196 carries for 199 yards with nine touchdowns. Costello was rated a four-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports. ESPN and Rivals also ranked him the #2 pro-style quarterback in the U.S., while ESPN also ranked him as California’s #2 recruit. He was named to U.S. Army All-American Game, named as an Elite 11 Finalist, and earned All-State honors ad both a Junior and Senior. Costello has 19 school records including; breaking Carson Palmer’s passing yards record, throwing the most passing touchdowns, and having the most passing yards in a single game. Costello committed to Stanford University.
In his first year, Costello was redshirted. The following season, he had 124 completions of 1,573 yards with 14 touchdowns. Additionally, he had 28 carries for three touchdowns. Costello was ranked sixth in the Pac-12 and #38 in the U.S. in passing efficiency. He also was fifth in the Pac-12 and #46 in the FBS in yardage completion. Costello was eighth in the Pac-12 and #51 in the NCAA in yards per attempt. Finally, he was ranked #10 in the Pac-12 and #62 in the U.S. in completion percentage.
In his Sophomore season, Costello was named team captain and completed 269 passes of 3,540 yards with 11 touchdowns and 42 carries. He finished second in single-season passing yards and 300-yard passing games. He was also third on single-season passing touchdown and total offense lists. Also, Costello finished fourth in single-season passing attempts and completions, and fifth in single-season passing efficiency. He led the Pac-12 in attempted yards and was #12 in the U.S. Costello led the Pac-12 in passing efficiency and finished #16 in the FBS. He was second in the Pac-12 and #13 in the U.S. in passing touchdowns. He also was second in the Pac-12 and #16 in the FBS in passing yards. Costello was second in the Pac-12 and #22 in the NCAA in completion percentage. He was ranked second in the Pac-12 in completions per game and #24 in the U.S. He was second in the Pac-12 in yards per completion and #26 in the FBS. Finally, Costello was second in the Pac-12 in total offense per game and #27 in the NCAA.
During his Junior season, he had 102 completions of 1,038 yards with six touchdowns and 18 carries of 24 yards. Costello announced he would be transferring over to Mississippi State University. In his Senior season, Costello completed 134 passes of 1,283 yards with six touchdowns and 24 carries. He was SEC, Maxwell, and Walter Camp FBS National OffensivePlayer of the Week. Costello was also named Davey O’Brien and Manning Award National quarterback of the week, as well as an ESPN College Football Final helmet sticker recipient. Finally, he was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Preseason watch list.
Strengths
- Has the size that gives good balance and arm strength;
- Good footwork;
- Leadership qualities;
- Maintains vision downfield for openings;
- Will stand and throw in the pocket.
Weaknesses
- Decision making is questionable;
- Accuracy and throws declined after transferring to Mississippi;
- Has trouble handling pressure from defenders;
- Primarily a sidearm thrower instead of being versatile;
- Needs to escape the pocket more if an opening is not there.
Teams With Need At Position: Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles
Projection: Seventh Round
Bottom Line on K.J. Costello
K.J Costello has the size and tools that teams like, but his production and mechanics declined after going to Mississippi State. Whether that is entirely his fault or not is up for debate; however, it will affect his draft standing. Many expect Costello to go undrafted, but there is enough there for a patient team to take a late-round flyer on him.
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