The conversion of highly successful college quarterbacks into other roles has become a common occurrence in the NFL, as coaching staffs try to constantly find ways to translate the elite athletic skills of collegiate signal callers who may lack the size or passing skills to continue playing at their current position.
These conversions have yielded mixed results in that for every Julian Edelman, there’s a Matt Jones that stands as a failed example of a highly-skilled athlete who couldn’t make the switch as Jacksonville Jaguars fans can sadly attest to.
One of the more successful transitions took place 26 years ago when the Washington Redskins selected Brian Mitchell as their fifth-round pick from Southwestern Louisiana.