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NFL 2012: a banner year for rookie quarterbacks

Encouraged by the success of Carolina’s Cam Newton and Cincinnati’s Andy Dalton last season, five teams hand the offensive controls to five players fresh out of the college ranks.

11. Chandler Harnish, Indianapolis Colts

Nick Wass/AP
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Chandler Harnish looks to pass during the second half of an NFL preseason football game with the Washington Redskins Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012, in Landover, Md.

  • By Ross Atkin Staff

Drafted: #253 overall (in seventh round)

Pro status: 3rd string

College: Northern Illinois

6 ft. 2 in.,  220 lbs. 

Hometown: Bluffton, Ind.

QB rating in the preseason: 91.3

Harnish owns the distinction of being the absolute last player taken in the 2012 NFL draft, which confers upon him the title of this year’s “Mr. Irrelevant.” In early July, he attended “Irrelevant Week” in Newport Beach. Calif., where he was roasted, honored with a parade and gifts, and presented the Lowsman Trophy. But all spoofs aside, Harnish could prove to be a real find. Playing out of the national spotlight at Northern Illinois, he led the school to four straight bowl games. Granted they were lesser bowls, but that’s pretty impressive for an Indiana farm boy who wasn’t offered a scholarship by state schools like Indiana, Purdue, or Ball State. Last year as the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year he led every quarterback in the country with a 106.3-yard rushing average, this while completing 61.7 percent of his passes and throwing for 28 touchdowns.

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

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