Auburn '13 QB Target, Ryan Buchanan

The Skinny
Ryan Buchanan
Jackson Prep HS (Jackson, MS)
6'3, 205 lbs.
4.82 forty
1,600 yds passing for 16 TDs. (very run heavy offense)

YouTube Highlights video 1

YouTube Highlights video 2

Amateur Analysis
Really, really good feet with an absolutely ideal build. Has a great knack for fitting balls into tight windows. Particularly like how you can tell he knows that offense like the back of his hand. Every throw he makes tends to be in rhythm with his drops and this is directly attributed to his full knowledge of the playbook. Little bit of a 3/4 release but if he's 6'3 that won't be too big of an issue. Seems to be fairly accurate on the deep ball, but is very very accurate on the intermediate throws. With his 3/4 delivery it does tend to make the ball not necessarily sizzle out of his hand and it tends to come out wobbly when he has to rush the throws, and he doesn't step into his throws as much under duress. This should get better working with a good, college QB coach that can refine his mechanics.

Overall, I feel comfortable at this point in saying that Buchanan is the most underrated QB in the '13 class when looking at his rankings on the more popular recruiting sites out there. In, what I feel is, one of the best years for QBs I've seen in the 5 or so years I've really been following recruiting, I'd have no qualms about seeing Buchanan in the top 5-7 range for QBs. The level of competition Ryan faces is pretty sub-par, so this might be a kid who has to do some camping to truly prove to some that he's worthy or being called one of the top passers in the country.

Recruiting
Buchanan, relative to the fast paced recruitment we've all become used to, has remained under the radar for quite some time. Most of the top 10 or so QBs in this class have been well known players for the past year or 2 in recruiting circles. But, now that coaches have gotten a hold of his film, most of them seem to like what they see and what to get him on campus ASAP to evaluate in person. Recently colleges such as Auburn, Florida and Arkansas have all picked up interest, with Auburn offering on his visit this past weekend. I feel that if Auburn wants him, at this point, Auburn could get him. But, I don't feel Auburn is ready to settle on it's number one target for QB just yet, but it should happen soon. He plans a decision before his Sr. season and AU would like to have it's QB by then as well. Ole Miss will be tough to beat, as they always are in that area of Mississippi, and he has a sister that goes to Ole Miss. I've heard Loeffler is his favorite coach he's talked to, after his recent visit, but have also heard that Bobby Petrino was his favorite. Either way Loeffler wouldn't be too far behind if Auburn really wants him.

Prediction:
Ole Miss

Auburn QB Targets in my top 10....

For the next week or so, I'm going to go through the top 5 or so QB targets that Auburn is targeting and do a write up and what I think of them, as well as where we stand with them in their recruitment.......

I'll do the first one today starting with Ryan Buchanan (a personal favorite of mine).....

'13 Top 10 QBs:

Here are some of the 2013 QBs and how I feel they stack up against the rest of the country from watching the film out there on about 25-30 QBs so far this year. This is an incredible year for QB talent, so I'm happy that AU has a need and an incredible evaluator and teacher of QBs. I have no doubts that Scot Loeffler will land Auburn someone from the top 5-6 on this list.

Top 10
1. Ryan Burns
2. Kevin Olsen
3. Max Browne
4. Ryan Buchanan
5. Cooper Bateman
6. Hayden Rettig
7. Christian Hackenberg
8. Eddie Printz
9. Shane Morris
10. Brice Ramsey


Highest Ceiling
1. Ryan Burns
2. Max Browne
3. Tyrone Swoopes

Highest Floor
1. Ryan Burns
2. Kevin Olsen
3. Eddie Printz

Sleepers
1. Cord Sandberg
2. Jeremy Johnson
3. Austin Allen

Future #1 pick
1. Ryan Burns
2. Max Browne
3. Kevin Olsen