Full Name:    Byron Leftwich              School:      Marshall

Ht:    6-6                   Wt:   250               40:    5.00

Year:   4Sr              Number:      7

Scouting Report:

The Good: Athletic, pocket passer with tremendous physical skills that has admirably led his team the past three season.  Sets up with solid footwork, patient and looks away from the primary target, throwing to his secondary receivers.  Quick releasing the ball, throws with an over the top delivery and zips the outs or leads receivers down the field on long throws.  Sells the play action pass, withstands the rush in the pocket and has a good idea as to where all his targets are on the field.  Poised and buys time for his receiver waiting till the last second before getting rid of the ball.  All the throws have velocity and quickly get to the intended target. 

The Bad: Easily gets outside the pocket, making the play on the move and losing nothing on his throws.  Occasionally releases the ball off his back foot, does not precisely place his throws and only adequate accuracy as he is high of the mark (a result of not properly following through over his top foot).  Late releasing timing patterns and receivers are  waiting on the ball as they leave their breaks.  Tries to thread the needle once and a while and misses open targets. 

The Skinny: Great tools to work with but needs to iron out the fundamentals,  both physically and mentally, before being considered an "elite" prospect.  Still, one of the best available in 2003.