Fyfe an intriguing prospect at QB
Ryker Fyfe's decision to walk-on at Nebraska won't be the most high-profile decision in the final days before signing day, but it certainly is intriguing. More so than most walk-on QBs anyway. Why? Because, technically, he's listed as a "pro-style" QB.
You don't see many of those coming out of Nebraska. And, lately, you don't see many of those coming to Nebraska.
Fyfe certainly looks the part of a pro-style QB at 6-4, 195 and, while I don't see much high school football in the state, he throws as good a ball as any Nebraska prep QB I've seen in recent memory. Specifically, see the throw he makes at the 30 second mark in the video below:
If you believe in labels, Fyfe is a departure from the type of spread option style QB Bo Pelini and Tim Beck have been after recently but the pro-style label might be a misnomer as Fyfe (746 rushing yards and 15 rushing TDs last season) seems capable of running it as well. At his size and speed (4.8 40 according to Rivals) he'd also making an interesting WR prospect if the QB slot gets crowded.
And making the QB slot crowded seems to be a primary goal for 2013. Fyfe gives Nebraska at least two QBs in this class with the Huskers still in the mix for QB/ATH Devin Fuller (6-0, 185). Nebraska has already offered scholarships to three dual-threat QBs for next year as well: J.T. Barrett (Wichita Falls, Texas), Travis Wright (Louisville, Ky.), and Malik Zaire (Kettering, Ohio).
None of those QBs is taller than 6-1, making Fyfe, if nothing else, a giant among his potential peers physically. Size, of course, isn't everything but Fyfe is a departure from what Nebraska's been bringing in behind center and that should make for some interesting practice battles over the next few years.
It's nothing more than a hunch, but something tells me he'll contribute at QB at some point in the future.
Goochland, VA
1/25/2012
wow…a “passing” QB that can run vs. a “running” QB that can uh-hem “throw”. Look at that, he hits receivers in stride. What novel qualities to look for in a QB.
I personally would like to the the Russel Wilson type QB at NU. Be a great passer, but be adequate at running when the time is right. Lets see if Beck is interested in going down that path anytime soon???
Tampa Fl
1/25/2012
Very interesting video! I am stuck wondering why more colleges were not interested in this kid.
I did see one or two option reads in this video. I think that everything is going to come down to how he adjust to the college speed of the game. He has a great throwing motion, and a quick release. That is something that will come in handy. Of course we don’t see the bad passes that he made through the year either in this video. However all of these hit the receiver in stride and sometimes only were the receiver could get to the ball.
If he can adjust, next year may be interesting, if not 2013 will see a serious competition at the position.
GBR!
1/25/2012
This is an example of what makes the NU walk-on program a special advantage.
The combination of size, speed and throwing means he could be a D1 prospect. Schools in the MAC, WAC or Sun Belt would love a player like this. For Nebraska to get him for “free” (no scholarship) is the definition of value.
If he played in a larger metro area (i.e. Omaha) he would have more offers. I’m generally shocked that former NU coaches now at other programs (Solich, Carl Pelini, Bohl) didn’t make more of a run at him.
Everybody who regretted NU not recruiting Nathan Enderle from North Platte (who is in the NFL!) needs to be a fan of Ryker Fyfe. Awesome name, by the way.
1/25/2012
Definitely love the looks of this kid. Hope he gets a fair shake. Players like R Wilson and Connor Shaw show what happens when you have a throwing QB that can scoot.
1/25/2012
Good piece, Brandon.
One point I disagree with is your assertion that he would make a good WR prospect with 4.8 speed.
4.8 is way too slow for a WR.
Omaha, NE
1/25/2012
Bill,
I might agree with you there. I debated for a while over whether or not Fyfe’s speed would be an issue as a hypothetical WR. But when I said I could see potentially see him there I was thinking a possession type guy who might be an intriguing third or fourth option given his size. Just as a means of comparison, Fyfe is about as fast as Menelik Holt (4.78) was when he arrived at Nebraska. Most of Nebraska’s other recruited WRs over the past few years, as you correctly noted, have been faster.
Maybe TE would be an option if it looks like Fyfe can add weight without sacrificing too much athleticism but now I’m getting really ahead of myself. Let’s see what he can do at QB first.
1/25/2012
@ Bill - TE might be a better option, if he could put on the necessary weight.
But is 4.8 too slow for a WR? Not entirely. Two examples: Matt Davidson, Todd Peterson.
Still, I like Fyfe as a QB first (maybe only).
1/25/2012
From what I saw in the video, he’s a better passer than TM, and although obviously not as fast, he’s a more aggressive runner.
1/25/2012
Guys I’m all for that kid but I didn’t see a better passer than Taylor there yet. Lets be realistic. He was throwing to open eeciever and going against so so competition. But he does look to have some tools and he might be able to compete by the time Taylor’s gone.good luck kid an welcome to N
1/26/2012
@Twauto22, some valid points. Highlights only show the good stuff, you can show highlights of TM that make him look like a fantastic passer, and these don’t show the wide misses. Some of the receivers in the highlights though only had one step on the defender, and the ball was in front of the receiver, something TM has struggled with. With the scholly QB’s being recruited, I’m sure Fyfe will redshirt, give him and coaches time to evaluate his best role on the team.
1/26/2012
This kid seems to be a dual threat QB prospect. He’s not fast but he appears to “not panic” when the D gets after him, he checks for his receivers like a QB should and he can scramble. Adding those things mentioned he seems like he might be a college QB. Now, if he can adapt to the speed of college football Mr. Fyfe may turn out to be a good QB for NU.
Twauto22: It’s only natural that T-mart is better at this moment because one player is in college and the other is in high school. We seem to disagree about what his film showed, yes he did through to a lot of open receivers but he was on target and didn’t make his receivers have to do a gymnastic stunt just to catch the football. No one can predict where this kid will end up playing but he seems talented and loves the Huskers.
1/26/2012
Give him a red shirt, stick him in the weight room to increase his muscle mass (weight) and speed, along with real competition and we will see what sort of internal motivation he has. It takes heart to walk on.
Who knows how hard he pushed his availability to other schools. Maybe he only had the Huskers in mind.
1/26/2012
I don’t understand why the immediate comparisons are to Martinez. I suppose it is because he is the current starter.
I think a more apt comparison is to backup QBs, both previous and current.
At some point, every team has to ride or die with a second string or even third string quarterback in a meaningful game. The quality of that player means a lot. If he’s bad, it’s a sure death sentence for a team if they are playing a quality opponent. If they are serviceable, it gives NU a chance.
It’s not a matter of Fyfe being better or worse than Martinez. It’s whether or not he is comparable to Ron Kellogg III, or how he measures up compared to the late Brook Berringer or a player like Matt Turman.
I don’t think Fyfe is better than Tommy Armstrong, the other QB in this class. But, again, nobody is asking him to be at this point. He just needs to develop and compete. And, again, consider the *value* of this point - NU is getting this player without using a scholarship.
1/26/2012
Greg schiano going to coach the bucs might give the huskers a better shot at devin fuller and maybe quanzell lambert
1/26/2012
Guys
I wasnt trying to down grade this kid or say he cant be a great qb, I was just saying that comparing him to a college qb , like someone said above isnt really fair to him , or realistic.. Hes not there yet, could he be better than him by his sophomore year, its possible.. Also someone made a good point above and said that a better comparision is to one of our back up qbs right now, and that would be a more fair comparison.. Also , Its a highlight tape, I could make a lot of people like all-stars if I show all their good passes and non of the bad..
But either way I’m looking forward to this kid getting in to the weight room and giving it a go.. Its kids like this that are the heart and soul of the team.. Good Luck Fyfe
1/26/2012
OG Ron C
I was kind of thinking the same thing, but has it actually been confirmed or is it one of those sources say: things again??
Schiano was putting a heck of group of recruits together up there and its kind of crazy he would be heading out the week before signing day.. If he is leaving I hope he states it soon, so those kids aren’t stuck there when he leaves..
1/26/2012
Never mind its was confirmed that hes the new bucs coach.. That should def help with Fueller
Omaha, NE
1/26/2012
For those talking about Rutgers recruits, here’s a pretty good recap (featuring both Lambert and Fuller) on where they stand: http://www.maxpreps.com/news/5fQSrQmyXEuVK6DJvwU_Iw/greg-schiano-leaves—whats-next-for-rutgers-recruiting.htm
1/26/2012
Thanks for sharing that link
Austin, TX
1/27/2012
Not saying he’s better or worse than anyone we have, but some things that stuck out to me…quickness in both decision making and scrambling…and can throw on the run. These are things we’re currently missing. I too am surprised this kid wasn’t recruited more and we’ll definitely take him! Love the name.