Who is Tyler Huntley? Utah quarterback considered a ‘sleeper’ pick for NFL draft

Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) looks to pass during the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. He is considered a sleeper for the NFL draft. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — Former pro quarterback David Carr gave a glowing endorsement of Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley earlier this year at the East-West Shrine Bowl.

“What I saw today was a very accurate passer and a guy who can move really well. Lamar Jackson has done a lot for some of these guys that can move and create,” Carr said on the NFL Network after the game. “I think it might have helped his draft position, and then he went out and played well in an all-star game.”

Coincidentally, a man who has coached both Carr, the top pick in 2002, and Huntley also had high praise for the Utes’ quarterback, who made a significant improvement between his junior and senior seasons to emerge as an NFL draft prospect.

“He’s the best quarterback I’ve ever coached,” Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig, who also coached 2009 Sugar Bowl Most Outstanding Player Brian Johnson, told the Deseret News. “The guy is going to be an excellent pro. He’s going to be an excellent professional quarterback.”

After his stellar senior season, the cerebral playmaker impressed Carr and many others by leading his West team to two scoring drives in a 31-27 win.

Despite that performance and a senior campaign in which he earned co-Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year honors from The Associated Press, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound quarterback was not invited to the NFL combine. One AFC offensive coach even told NFL.com, “I can’t see him making it as an NFL quarterback. Just doesn’t have the size and tools for it. He might be a position switch player.”

Carr and his old coach aren’t Huntley’s only fans. The Draft Network’s Joe Marino considers the versatile QB to be one of the biggest sleeper picks and claimed he was “severely overlooked” leading up to the draft. Huntley was second in the nation in completion percentage (.731) and was among the nation’s leaders in pass efficiency (177.6 rating) last season.

“I think people are missing the boat on Tyler,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “Whoever takes him or whatever camp he gets into, they’re going to be pleasantly surprised because he’s a fierce competitor and, like I said, I think he is not getting the recognition that he deserves.”

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