In 2013 Jacob Coker was credited as going 18/36 for 250 yards and an INT as the backup to Heisman Trophy winning QB, Jameis Winston. On the surface, those stats are extremely average. But I’ve went back and watched the video floating around of Coker’s 2013 plays, and I have found that his play, while not eye popping, was definitely not average.
First, I’d like to mention that the video we’ve probably all seen is actually missing three Jacob Coker pass attempts from the 2013 season. 2 against Bethune-Cookman, and 1 against Wake Forest. So if you get confused, just remember that I was only going by this video. Also, the first 3:15 of the video is from the Florida State Spring Game, which I did not include in this.
If you’re looking for a link to the video, here it is.
Before we get started, I’ll have to explain a few things. The “AAP” you see, is my “Adjusted Accuracy Percentage”. In fairness to the QB, passes intentionally thrown away do not count as an attempt for the AAP, and catchable passes that were dropped count as completions. You’ll also find that throws where the QB was hit as he was throwing do not count as incomplete passes either, they get the “thrown away” treatment.
1. Boot left, throw flat to FB. 1/1
2. Five step drop, back shoulder throw on the money. 2/2
3. PA, makes two would be sackers miss, throws a bullet on the run to a man by the sideline. 3/3
4. PA, rolls right, pressured, throws ball away. 3/4 (AAP: 3/3)
5. Drop, slides to the right when the blitz starts to break through, jump throws back to the left hash, little high. 3/5 (AAP: 3/4)
6. PA, dodges pressure, takes off, nice move to avoid a would be tackler, finishes hard.
7. PA, flares out to FB. 4/6 (AAP: 4/5)
8. PA, sets, throws perfect pass to a wide open man 35 yards down the field. 5/7 (AAP: 5/6)
9. PA, sets, throws perfect pass to wide open man 37 yards down the field. 6/8 (AAP: 6/7)
10. Drop, pressured, dodges three would be sackers before finally getting sacked.
11. Drop, looks to throw 10 yard out, pass too far out of bounds. 6/9 (AAP: 6/8)
12. Drops, throws bullet on the run, WR drops it after contact. 6/10 (AAP: 7/9)
13. Drops, fires bullet on short comeback. 7/11 (AAP: 8/10)
14. Drops, throws strike complete right at the left hash. 8/12 (AAP: 9/11)
15. Drop, throws over the middle. Pass tipped by defender in coverage. 8/13 (AAP: 9/12)
16. Drop, flares out to FB. 9/14 (AAP: 10/13)
17. PA, pocket gets pushed, can’t properly set his feet, throws ball out of bounds intended for In-N-Out Route. 9/15 (AAP: 10/14)
18. Fakes the give, keeps it and runs for a 24 yard TD.
19. Drop, double clutches, misses out route out of bounds. 9/16 (AAP: 10/15)
20. Screen to Back, little high, but very catchable. Drop. 9/17 (AAP: 11/16)
21. PA, rolls right, dodges sack, fires to a crossing receiver for a first down. 10/18 (AAP: 12/17)
22. Fires complete near the sideline. 11/19 (AAP: 13/18)
23. PA, throws bubble complete. 12/20 (AAP: 14/19)
24. Drop, rolls right. Fires a good ball incomplete down the field to a small receiver against a big DB. 12/21 (AAP: 14/20)
25. Drops, steps up, sacked.
26. Drops, fires hitch just an hair too high, but very catchable. WR tips it to an INT. 12/22 with an INT (AAP: 15/21)
27. Fires to covered curl, broken up. 12/23 with an INT (AAP: 15/22)
28. Drops, sacked.
29. QB draw, picks up a few yards.
30. Another QB draw, picks up about ten yards.
31. PA, completes bubble to the right. 13/24 with an INT (AAP: 16/23)
32. Fires bullet to curl, WR has it, but then DB breaks it up. Drop. 13/25 with an INT (AAP: 17/24)
33. Can’t tell if drop and scramble or QB draw, but picks up a couple.
34. Endaround, he makes a good block down field. EFFORT
35. Drop, hit form blindside as he throws, “incomplete”. 13/26 with an INT (AAP: 17/24)
36. Drops, immediate pressure, rolls right, loses footing, sacked.
37. Drops, throws screen. 14/27 with an INT (AAP: 18/25)
38. Drops, fires hitch, broken up. 14/28 with an INT (AAP: 18/26)
39. Quick drop, pass batted at line. 14/29 with an INT (AAP: 18/27)
40. Drop, fires complete to curl. 15/30 with an INT (AAP: 19/28)
41. Drop, sacked.
42. PA, throws bubble, dropped. 15/31 with an INT (AAP: 20/29)
43. PA throws complete on out. 16/32 with an INT (AAP: 21/30)
44. Drops, pressured, avoids pressure, fires, dropped. 16/33 with an INT (AAP 22/31)
Officially, the video shows Coker going 16/33 with an INT. Using my AAP, Coker goes 22/31 (70.9%). You can clearly see Coker has arm talent and good athleticism. His footwork gets sloppy on throws near the sidelines, and he could probably go through his reads better, but keep in mind he was playing behind the second team OL and didn’t have a whole lot of time to throw. He’s not a finished product, but Coker clearly has talent, and if you notice how hard he has worked to graduate in three years and get to Bama, you’ll see a high character kid with exceptional work ethic.
Has he been beaten out before? Sure. EJ Manuel was a first round draft pick, and Jameis Winston will likely be a first round draft pick as well. Not exactly bad company to be beaten out by.