Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott was projected to be a second to third-round quarterback prospect in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft. The Bulldogs senior quarterback is listed at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds and checks many boxes NFL franchises are looking for when selecting a quarterback, but he sent up a red flag on Saturday that will likely have a negative affect on his draft stock.
Prescott was reportedly arrested Saturday morning and charged with driving under the influence in Starkville, Miss. The NFL draft prospect was pulled over in a 2016 Cadillac Escalade at 12:45 a.m. and has since been released on bond.
Pro Sports Management, Prescott's representation, reportedly chose not to comment on the Mississippi State quarterback's arrest when asked by multiple teams Saturday. Prescott was moving up draft boards in the lead-up to the 2016 NFL Draft, and he had put on a strong performance in the Reese's Senior Bowl, completing seven of 10 passes and throwing the only touchdown on the South All-Star team.
"I think I've helped myself from the Senior Bowl until now, including the (NFL) combine," Prescott said this past Thursday. "I've had a pretty solid performance all the way through. I don't think I've done anything to hinder my grade or where I'll go in the draft."
Two days prior to Prescott's arrest, he worked out for 30 NFL teams at the school's pro day in Starkville, and this recent news could force some teams to drop him from their draft boards. The Bulldogs quarterback is considered a project at the next level but fits what NFL teams are looking for in size, mobility and arm strength. Some scouts believe that Prescott will need to work on his mechanics at the next level, but he did improve his passing numbers each season in the SEC, finishing his senior year with 3,793 passing yards and 29 touchdowns passes to five interceptions.
It will be interesting to see how far Prescott falls in the draft following this arrest, but the Mississippi State quarterback will have to prove to NFL franchises that this was a one-time mistake and not a representation of his character. Prescott could be an interesting fit in a system where he has time to develop with a team like the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, or even the possibly the Denver Broncos. It will be interesting to see where Prescott falls in the draft come April, as he is clearly a talent that some teams will be willing to take a gamble on.
