When Christian Hackenberg arrived in State College, PA, in 2013, the quarterback was already a polarizing figure — a highly touted high school prospect who was seemingly the perfect fit for then-head-coach Bill O’Brien’s pro-style offense. Now, as Hackenberg prepares for this week’s NFL draft, the former Penn State signal caller is just as polarizing, albeit for completely different reasons.
The Highs
Flash back to 2013. O’Brien, the former offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots, was entering his second season as head coach of the Nittany Lions with a true freshman quarterback (Hackenberg) under center. At Penn State, O’Brien deployed an offensive system very similar to the one run by the Patriots.
To say Hackenberg was successful under this system is an understatement. The true freshman flourished under O’Brien’s pro-style offense, breaking 12 freshman passing records and throwing for over 2,955 yards in his first season in Happy Valley. Hackenberg showcased his arm strength early and often in his first year wearing a Penn State uniform, throwing for 20 touchdowns, six of which found the hands of current Jacksonville Jaguar Allen Robinson.
With a six-foot four-inch frame, Hackenberg’s 10 interceptions didn’t deter professional scouts from raving about the talented freshman with the strong arm.
But Hackenberg would enter 2014 with a brand-new coach and offensive system.
The Lows
2014 saw Hackenberg struggle mightily in new head coach James Franklin’s spread offense. While the second-year signal caller threw for 2,977 yards, his 15 interceptions limited a Penn State offense that was riddled by the loss of Robinson and that felt the impact of NCAA sanctions. The sophomore found the end-zone 12 times while being sacked 44 times. He suffered from a lack of offensive line depth — and depth overall — as a result of those sanctions.
The brightest spot of Hackenberg’s 2014 season was a breakout performance in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl against Boston College. He threw for 371 yards and four touchdowns as the Nittany Lions topped Boston College 31-30 in Penn State’s first bowl game following the sanctions.
Entering the 2015 season, there was a heated debate in college football about whether Hackenberg would leave early and enter the NFL Draft. As a junior, he threw for a career-low 2,525 yards. But, while his yardage was down, the third-year quarterback was able to improve his touchdown total with 16 passing touchdowns to just six interceptions.
Hackenberg’s 2015 season came to an abrupt end during the TaxSlayer Bowl against Georgia due to a shoulder injury late in the first half. Wasting little time, Hackenberg announced after the loss that he would be foregoing his senior season and entering the draft.
Where will Hackenberg be drafted?
Depending on the day, the time, the channel and the source, Hackenberg has been listed in the top-10 all the way to not being drafted.
Since the moment Hackenberg declared for the draft, speculation has been as up and down as his career. Some scouts have raved about his frame, his arm strength and his leadership, while others have bashed his ability to lead and his trouble avoiding sacks.
In a Bob McGinn scouting report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, an anonymous scout had this to say about Hackenberg: “He was a Bill O’Brien guy, and he had some issues with Franklin. He hangs out more with managers than he does teammates. It tells me he likes to be king of the little people rather than king of the big people.”
It’s unknown how accurate that statement truly is, but it speaks volumes to one prominent view scouts have of Hackenberg.
Super Bowl XXXVII champion and current ESPN analyst Jon Gruden falls on the opposite end of the spectrum.
“I’ll be shocked if Hackenberg is not a first round pick. The biggest surprise to me on Hackenberg is that no one is really talking about him in the first round,” Gruden said, raving about Hackenberg in an ESPN article.
The great unknown is where Hackenberg will be taken. A player as polarizing as him will be sure to turn heads wherever he ends up. To make an impact at the next level, all it takes is one team taking a chance.
“This man can run a 4.7-second 40, he is tough as hell, and he works relentlessly. He just has to get in the right system with the right people and refocus on the small details,” Gruden said.
The NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 28, at 8 p.m. on ESPN and NFL Network.
Image credit: Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports
