Quinton Flowers willing to switch positions in NFL
As Lamar Jackson takes a strong stance against it, Quinton Flowers recognizes he may need to switch positions in the NFL.
A lazy and convenient narrative, driven at least partially by stereotypes, has surrounded Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson having to become a wide receiver in the NFL. The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner has taken a strong stance that he’s strictly a quarterback this week at the NFL Combine, and rightfully so.
South Florida quarterback Quinton Flowers is a different case. He was 29-9 over his three seasons as a starter, with 112 total touchdowns (71 passing, 41 rushing) and 11,796 total yards in his career. But a lack of size (5-foot-10, 214 pounds) is working against him heading to the next level, and there’s a good chance Flowers goes undrafted in a pretty deep 2018 quarterback class.
Flowers seems to recognize that, with the news he will do running back and punt return drills at the combine.
#USF QB Quinton Flowers is being asked to do running back drills here at the Combine. Bulls RB coach Shaun King told me Flowers will be a punt returner in the NFL, and he’s expected to show that off, too.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 3, 2018
Saturday morning Combine nugget: #USF QB Quinton Flowers will go through QB positional drills this morning.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) March 3, 2018
Once he's finished, he will go through RB drills (as requested by NFL teams).
On Saturday, Flowers ran the fastest 40-yard dash among quarterbacks at 4.63 seconds. He is willing to switch positions, but he wants a fair chance at quarterback first.
“I just want a shot first — at quarterback,” Flowers said.
Flowers further passed along a mixed sentiment about his future position from NFL teams and scouts.
"“I’d say it’s kind of a 50-50 thing. Some teams talk about quarterback. Some teams talk about running back,” Flowers said. “At the end of the day, I just want to fulfill my dream and be able to give back once I make it.”"
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A team with an established quarterback that’s willing to take on a developmental prospect at the position may take a late-round chance on Flowers. It’s more likely he’ll have to embrace learning the nuances of a new position to really stick in the NFL, but Flowers is off on the right foot by showcasing himself as something beyond a quarterback in Indianapolis.