6-4, 209
Kaaya was a three year starter for the Hurricanes and enters the draft after his junior season. He probably has the best sample size of any QB in the 2017 draft as a result. As a freshman in 2014, he passed for 3198 yards and 26 TDs to 12 INTs. He completed just 58.5% of his passes in an up and down season, while attempting 29.1 passes per game. As a sophomore in 2015, Kaaya passed for 3238 yards and 16 TDs against five INTs. He completed 61.2% of his passes, and attempted 32.4 passes per game, and played in 12 games. As a junior in 2016, Kaaya passed for 3532 yards, with 27 TDs and just seven INTs in 13 games. He completed 62% of his passes on 32.4 attempts per contest.
The Good
Solid NFL size and arm strength is a plus.
Played in a more pro set offense, and knows the system better than almost anyone at QB in the draft class. He has shown flash and ability to make the tough throws he will have to make in the NFL.
He has a very nice deep ball, and shows considerable touch on his passes when necessary. When he has the time, he probably has one of the better throwing motions in the college game, and understands progressions.
The Bad
Although he has some very good physical attributes, his mental approach can be sloppy. He has never really gotten out of the low 60% range in completion percentage, and only plays at his best when he has a clean pocket and is in perfect conditions to make plays. He really breaks down under pressure, and will keep his eyes on the pass rush rather than on what is unfolding in the passing game downfield.
He is a Drew Bledoe type in that he grows roots in the pocket, and does not move well at all. If the sack is coming, he will not be able to avoid it.
He needs some work in recognizing packages, and must continue to improve at his base package reading, where he made some strides in 2016.
Final Overview
Kaaya probably has the best long term future, if a team will invest in him in the short term, but he is strictly a hit or miss prospect. He will need time to develop and progress as a pro, so someone taking him will have to show patience and attack his shortcomings right away, He seems to be coachable, and if he gets the right staff around him, he could really bloom. He came into Miami with a huge amount of pressure on him as a can't miss prospect, but he never truly had great talent around him to help him recognize those expectations. I like him as a long term prospect, but he certainly needs some work. If you can get him in the mid to late rounds, he could be a developmental steal based on his experience in a more pro set offense than almost any of his piers in this class.
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