How Relevant is QB Height?

The other day I was reading about Tyler Gabbert, a 6-foot, 175-pound QB about to begin his junior season at St. Louis' Parkway West. Of course, Husker fans recognize the last name of Gabbert, since Blaine Gabbert (Tyler's older brother) was a 5-star NU commit until everything fell apart for the Big Red last year and he, along with many other big name commits jumped ship.

As I was scanning the younger Gabbert's bio on one of the recruiting sites, his listed height of a mere 6-foot temporarily gave me pause. He doesn't fit the quarterback prototype we've been brainwashed to seek. He isn't 6-5. He isn't 230 pounds of muscle (although he is only 15 years old, so he'll likely get quite a bit bigger). After initially bemoaning the fact that a potential future Husker didn't have the ideal measurements, I thought for a second, "Wait. Does it matter?"

I'm here to propose that in college football, while a quarterback's height isn't completely irrelevant, it doesn't mean that much. Consider the Big 12 -- a league completely stocked with talent behind center. Missoui's Chase Daniel had few problems tearing up opposing defenses despite his sub-6-foot frame. Same with 5-11 signal callers Todd Reesing of Kansas and Cody Hawkins at Colorado. And, of course, our own Joe Ganz who is generously listed at 6-1, clearly outplayed the taller Sam Keller when he got his chance at the end of last season. Other college quarterbacks who will never be asked to stand at the back of the team photo and yet are all-conference candidates include: West Virginia's Pat White, South Florida's Matt Grothe and Wake Forest's Riley Skinner.

The idea that tall quarterbacks were always preferable has always come from the thought that their height would better allow them to see over the linemen and scan the field. This is still valid. However as so many college offenses have begun to move to some version of the spread, where the offensive linemen, the receivers and by necessity the defenders are spread throughout the field, it offers better vision for shorter quarterbacks and lessens the importance of height. Also, because generally smaller quarterbacks tend to be quicker in the pocket than their bigger peers( I know there are exceptions), they are able to evade an oncoming rush more effectively, and can limit the aggressiveness of opposing defenses.

So, is the height of a QB important? Yes and no. If I were creating the ideal college quarterback, I would probably give him the skills and measureables of a Vince Young: 6-3 to 6-5, fast, elusive, accurate with a strong arm. However, there aren't that many out there like Vince. That said, here's how I would rate the importance of the attributes of a college quarterback:

1. Accuracy/smarts -- the ability to run an offense and put the ball where it needs to be are musts.
2. (tie) Quickness and arm strength -- A quarterback who is a threat with his arm and his feet can cause sleepless nights for opposing defensive coordinators. While arm strength is important and will wow the pro scouts, it's certainly possible to be a very effective college QB without a cannon.
3. Height -- Again, I'd take a tall, quick, accurate QB over a short, quick, accurate QB, but I would also take a short, quick, accurate QB with average arm strength over a tall, lumbering, accurate QB with a strong arm.

The effectiveness of smaller college QBs who don't fit the prototype seems to support this kind of ranking. And, for schools that aren't traditional gridiron powers (see: Missouri, Kansas, South Florida) recruiting effective smaller quarterbacks who are turned away by the bigger schools looking for Matt Ryan clones, represents a chance to strengthen their programs and play with the big boys.

One last thought: notice that I have been careful to say "college" quarterbacks when making my claims. In NFL offenses, where the quarterbacks tend to stay in the pocket more and the relative skill of defensive backs and pash rushers make getting rid of the ball and putting some serious zip on it hugely important, size still matters. But even in the NFL, there is still a place for a heady, non-traditional QB like a Drew Brees.

What does it all mean? To me, it means we're in good hands with Joe Ganz, and if Tyler Gabbert wants to wear the red some day, it's fine by me. And if his 6-5 brother wants to transfer too...