Even in a draft class that is currently believed to lack high-end quarterbacks, the best quarterbacks in the class will attract plenty of attention and competition.
West Virginia’s Geno Smith has made his choice, hiring Erik Burkhardt and Jeff Nalley of Select Sports Group to handle his rookie deal, according to source with knowledge of the situation.
Smith emerged in September as the early favorite for the Heisman Trophy, with off-the-charts performances as the Mountaineers moved to 5-0. But a five-game losing streak caused him to slide off the map, and the guy who once was presumed to be the top pick in the draft could now slide on draft day.
On Wednesday, word emerged that USC quarterback Matt Barkley has signed with CAA. And those two firms will spend the next four months trying to position their respective clients to be taken higher in the draft than the other one.
Of course, getting the guy drafted as high as possible isn’t as important as it used to be, given the rookie wage scale. Factors like marketing opportunities in a given city, the coaching staff, and the supporting cast become more important.