Andrew Luck the Next Elway

John Elway is generally considered the greatest Cardinal QB of All-time.

  During the 1983 NFL Draft, one of the best athletes to ever hit the gridiron was selected First Overall by the Baltimore Colts, forced his way to the Broncos and became one of the greatest Quarterbacks of his generation.  That of course is the legacy of the John Elway, a two-sport star that won the hearts of many over the course of his Hall of Fame career.  But before Elway was winning Super Bowls he was setting records under center for the Cardinal of Stanford University.  Records that current Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck has his eyes on this upcoming season.

   Much like John Elway, Luck is widely considered to be the top NFL QB prospect in the college ranks (in both the 2011 and 2012 Drafts).  During the 2010 season Luck threw 32 touchdowns breaking Elway’s former school record of 27.  And this season he has his eyes set on John Elway’s career 77 touchdown passes; which he can tie by producing a 32 touchdown encore.  Andrew Luck is the front-runner for this years Heisman Trophy, which is something that number “7” was never able achieve during his time in Palo Alto.

Andrew Luck may be the best QB Prospect since Peyton Manning in 1998.

   Besides their rocket-arms, one thing that is similar between the two signal callers is their mobility.  John Elway was noted throughout his career for his ability to take off and gain yards when plays broke down; while Andrew Luck seems to be a similar athlete except BIGGER.  Luck stands at 6’4” and close to 240;  Elway was no dwarf at 6’3” 215 but Luck seems to chiseled.  We’ll find out this season if Luck has what it takes to become Stanford’s most storied Football player.

   No matter what happens this season Andrew Luck will be the top pick in the 2012 Draft (if he declares) but that is not always a guarantee for success.  There have been plenty of busts taken first overall, but Luck has as much talent as any Quarterback since Peyton Manning was selected first in 1998; of course Manning was infamously followed by QB Ryan Leaf at No. 2, who is generally considered to be the biggest bust of All-time.  Judging by what I’ve seen of Luck so far I’d say his future looks more like that of Elway and Manning than that of Leaf.