2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Clayton Tune (QB – Houston)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Clayton Tune.

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2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Clayton Tune (QB – Houston)

Clayton Tune (QB – Houston)

6’3″ – 220 lbs.

Background:

Started two games as a freshman back in 2018, finishing with 795 yards and eight touchdowns, and all seven games he appeared in the following year, ending the year with 1,531 yards (59.2%, 8.5 YPA), 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Started all eight games in the shortened 2020 season, throwing for 2,048 yards (59.6%, 7.2 YPA), 15 touchdowns, and interceptions, then took his game to another level in 2021, passing for 3,546 yards (68.2%, 8.4 YPA), 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Made his senior year his best, with 4,074 yards (67.3%, 8.2 YPA), 40 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Played his first year for Major Applewhite, the rest under Dana Holgorsen.

Positives:

Highly productive, experienced quarterback with 44 starts under his belt. Relatively well-built with at least adequate size. Has clean footwork on his dropbacks, standing tall and looking composed in the pocket. Gets the ball out on time when running quick game. Shows the ability to come off his primary read and hit the checkdown. Pretty sound decision-maker who avoids unnecessary risks; shows discipline and patience. Throws a catchable ball with appropriate touch. Overall ball placement is good, facilitating yards after the catch. Able to anticipate and make some bucket throws downfield, with plenty of air under the football; consistently threatened opposing defenses down the sidelines. Shows some ability to climb when facing outside pressure. Stays calm and keeps his eyes downfield when fleeing the pocket.

Negatives:

Slightly overaged after spending five years in school. Holds the ball a little too long when his primary read isn’t open. Some tendency to stare down targets, allowing defenders to break on throws toward the boundary. Arm talent is closer to average and may struggle to thread the needle and rip passes into tight windows, relying heavily on timing and anticipation downfield. Was often operating from clean pockets with plenty of time to throw, and decision-making suffered when faced with pressure. Able to escape from pressure but won’t be confused for a dual threat. Doesn’t always reset his feet when outside the pocket.

Summary:

One of the most polished third-day options in this year’s draft class, with sound mechanics and decision-making, solid accuracy, appropriate touch, and the ability to throw with anticipation, but whose tools are closer to average, which may limit him to being more of a backup/spot-starter at the next level. Will likely slip a little bit further than Holgorsen’s last quarterback, Will Grier, who was drafted in the third round back in 2019.

Projection: Round 5