From now until the 2025 NFL Draft, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott.
#4 TOMMY MELLOTT, QB, MONTANA STATE (SR) – 5116, 208 lbs.
Measurements
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Tommy Mellott 5116/208 N/A N/A N/A
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
N/A N/A N/A
The Good
— Leader and competitor; starter over four seasons
— Played mostly in shotgun/pistol but took snaps under center
— Solid making early reads and getting the ball out quickly
— Ball security through the air with just 2 interceptions in 300 attempts 2024
— Good mobility and can create something out of nothing
— Very good touch on deep ball
— Good mental processing and patience to set up his blocks as a runner
— Good speed and can make a player miss
— Tough player; took some big hits
The Bad
— Size is adequate
— Arm strength is adequate
— Doesn’t attempt many tight window throws
— Generally, didn’t make full-field reads
— Throws wobble, lack tight spiral
— Footwork and setup inconsistent in the pocket
— A bit of panic in the pocket when initial reads aren’t open
— Some fumble from the pocket
— Touch and accuracy on some throws (flat) had inconsistent velocity and location
— Play strength is adequate; not going to break tackles.
Bio
— Career: 435 completions, 683 attempts, 64% completions, 6,016 yards, 55 TDs, 8 INTs; 488 carries, 3,517 yards, 43 TDs, 7.2 YPC
— 2024: 204 completions, 301 attempts, 68% completions, 2, 783 yards, 31 TDs, 2 INT; 123 carries, 1,050 yards, 15 TDs, 8.5 YPC
— Montana State’s first-ever Walter Payton Award winner
— 39 games, 37 starts
— 2023: FedEx Ground Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award winner
— 2024: Walter Camp FCS Player of the Year, ADA Offensive Player of the Year
— First team FCS All-American 2024
— 2024 Big Sky Offensive MVP and 1st Team All-Big Sky
— 2023 Second Team All-Big Sky
— Returned kicks in 2021 season
— High character player on and off the field and gives back to the community
Tape Breakdown
Tommy Mellott is a decorated quarterback who guided his team to the FCS Championship Game last season. He also played in the Championship Game in 2021 when he became the starter in the playoffs for the Bobcats. He is of adequate height and weight with good athleticism and speed. The offense he led was run-heavy with a lot of read-option looks with play-action and bootlegs mixed into the passing game. He aligned primarily in shotgun or pistol looks but did take snaps under center as well.
(Ed note: Alex here. I am adding this to Tom’s post because I stumbled across it while watching another prospect. Funny character summary of Mellott from his head coach).
As a passer, he was asked to make half-field reads and was solid with his mental processing. He took few chances with his throws, avoiding tight windows. In the pocket he has good mobility to slide up and through rushers. He has a quick release and generally gets the ball out quickly. Timing is important with his arm strength, but his accuracy is good when clean.
In the short and intermediate areas, he was solid with his mental process to know where to go with the ball. It was essentially a one or two read and take off running philosophy. He did get the ball out on time and was solid with his accuracy. On the move, he has good accuracy rolling in either direction.
Throws moving to his left.
Throws moving to his right.
On the deep throws, he showed a very good touch, consistently dropping the ball into the bucket. Go, wheel, and slot fades were nice looking throws.
As a runner, he showed good speed, mental processing, and patience to set up his blocks. He could make a defender miss and get to the edge and had several long runs. His toughness was good overall, and he took some bigger shots than you would like to see.
He also can create something from nothing. Inaccurate snaps throw off the timing of these plays, and he turns them into six.
His arm strength is adequate, with more placement over power. The ball isn’t clean coming out of his hand, and it lacks the tight spiral consistency. He showed a bit of panic in the pocket, drifting when the pocket was clean. There were a couple of fumbles in the pocket and a couple of bobbles of shotgun snaps. His touch on the move, especially to the flat, was marginal. Some throws came in too hot, while others were offline. His back shoulder throws were marginal, and the placement varied. His play strength is poor overall, and he won’t break many tackles or add yards after contact.
Poor ball security in the passing game against New Mexico.
Poor throws to the flat.
Conclusion
Overall, Mellott is adequate in size with good athleticism and speed. He led a read-option heavy-run offense that used play action, bootlegs, and occasional deep shots. He was a half-field reader with a tendency to tuck it and run. His throwing style is placement over power, and he has a very good touch on the deep ball. He is a good runner, sets up his blockers, and can make a defender miss.
Areas for improvement include throwing a tighter spiral and developing a more consistent pocket presence while protecting the ball in the pocket. Improving his accuracy and touch on basic throws and adding play strength would also benefit him.
He’s undersized and doesn’t have a strong arm. He does make plays, and I was especially impressed with the deep throws. He seems like a hearts and smarts player who would become a fan favorite wherever he goes. His best fit would be in a scheme that would allow him to use his legs and let him work in the short and intermediate areas using timing throws and moving the pocket. I can see him making the team as a number three with a chance to develop into a number two.
For a player comp, the first thought was Big Sky-ler Murray due to his conference and play style, but that’s not who I’ll give you: Trace McSorley. He was a good competitor with accuracy on the move and an effective runner who was undersized, didn’t execute tight window throws, and needed to be better in the pocket.
Projection: Late Day Three/UDFA
Depot Draft Grade: 6.0 – Priority Free Agent (Undrafted Free Agent)
Games Watched: 2024 – At New Mexico, vs Idaho, vs Montana, vs South Dakota, vs North Dakota State
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