Being a Viking could help Ahlers channel his inner Ragnar Lothbrok and conquer the NFL. Most NFL Draft analysts currently have Ahlers projected as a priority undrafted free agent, though his recent performances may have him rising up draft boards in a hurry. @Seahawks. Ahlers sometimes makes the poor decision to throw off his back foot when pressured, which creates easy potential turnovers for defenses. Ahlers mental clock will need to speed up on plays. Outstanding position blocker who seals defenders from the action. at With the 2023 NFL Draft in the books, Chad Reuter ranks the best undrafted rookie free agents by position. Ahlers graduated with a bachelors degree in communication in December of 2021. As a high school junior, he produced 5,414 total yards. Last season, Ahlers (6-foot-3, 230 pounds) threw for 3,708 yards, completing 67.2% of his passes. Average in-line blocker. Ahlers earned First-Team All-Conference honors three times and was the Conference Player of the Year twice. A three-star recruit, Ahlers had offers from Florida and Georgia but wanted to stay close to home and picked East Carolina over NC State, Brugler wrote in his pre-draft profile. He believes Ahlers is just as good, if not better, than the three current NFL quarterbacks. He also exhibits arm strength, excellent football IQ, and the ability to manipulate safeties with his eyes. Plays like an average athlete. Johnson also signed with Seattle UDFA. Ahlers mental clock will need to speed up on plays. And so, we feel like [with] Geno [Smith] and Drew [Lock], we have two really good quarterbacks, right? A draft that began on Thursday night when the Carolina Panthers selected Alabama quarterback Bryce Young first overall drew to a Hours after the NFL draft ended, Ahlers took to A multi-cut ball carrier who possesses outstanding footwork, strings several moves together over the course of a single run, and makes defenders miss. He completed 284 of 460 passes for 4,503 yards, 51 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. The loop in his motion delays his release and gives defenders time to react. Dates, Draft Order, Location, and More. Void in ONT. Ahlers impressed recently at ECUs Pro Day on March 28, throwing the ball at a high level to an array of skill position teammates such as C.J. Iowa FB Monte Pottebaum is signing with the Steelers, per, App State running back Camerun Peoples is signing with Carolina, per, South Alabama WR Jalen Wayne is signing with the Bills, per, Indiana linebacker Cam Jones is signing with the Chiefs, per, Coastal Carolina DT Jerrod Clark is signing with the Chargers, per, Kentucky OL Tashawn Manning is signing with the Ravens, per, Illinois QB Tommy DeVito is signing with the Giants, per, East Carolina QB Holton Ahlers is signing with the Seahawks, per, Pittsburgh DE Habakkuk Baldonado is signing with the Giants, per, Liberty OLB Durrell Johnson is signing with the Cowboys, per. Offers the quarterback a big target, extends his hands, and snatches the ball out of the air. 5. Tracks the pass in the air, gets vertical, and contorts to make the reception over defenders. Bills Mafia! Mitchell is a potent speed threat who possesses the elusiveness to avoid contact and break for huge runs. Jones isnt the only positional swap 2023 NFL Draft prospect on the East Carolina roster. East Carolina QB Holton Ahlers is signing with the Seahawks, NFL Draft results 2023: Pick-by-pick tracker for every selection Follow along with the picks for the 2023 NFL Draft. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). 518 for On3.com. Heres a team-by-team tracker on where undrafted rookies have signed following the conclusion of the 2023 draft: Throughout his high school career, Ahlers amassed 3,586 rushing yards and 56 rushing touchdowns. Displays outstanding focus as well as concentration. The East Carolina Pirates quarterback has been gaining some momentum leading up to draft day as a potential late-round sleeper. Johnson. Relatively accurate, doesnt have receivers working hard to make the reception, and displays a sense of timing on throws. WebHeres a team-by-team tracker on where undrafted rookies have signed following the conclusion of the 2023 draft: Arizona Cardinals Jacob Slade, DL, Michigan State Matt Hembrough, LS, Oklahoma State Blake Whiteheart, TE, Wake Forest Kyle Soelle, LB, Arizona State Emari Demercado, RB, TCU Kendell Brooks, S, Michigan State Atlanta In 2017, the Associated Press named him the North Carolina Offensive Player of the Year and a First-Team All-State selection. Weaknesses: Has an elongated delivery that slows his release. (40%*), (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance), SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL. . Master Your Draft Strategy With Our Free and Easy-to-Use Mock Draft Simulator, Be the first one to comment on this story. Ahlers is expected to sign with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reports. Every player's goal is to hear their name called in the NFL Draft. Hes able to extend plays and punish defenses with his legs when they leave him alone in space. The tight end came to ECU from Oklahoma as a transfer. 65, 315-pound guard Justin Redd absolutely dominated at the FCS level. Ahlers throwing motion dips into a loop before the release. Coming out of high school, Ahlers had offers from power-five programs like Georgia, Florida and NC State but opted to attend ECU where he went on to break several significant records. Our goal every year is to draft a quarterback, Schneider said during an April 29 press conference. Can he assert himself as a genuine QB contender in the 2023 NFL Draft class with an impressive season? Copyright 2019-2023. As the final round winds down, many players start hoping they avoid being drafted, allowing them to sign with the team of their choice. If he can transfer his dominance to the FCS level, he has the potential to assert himself onto the 2023 NFL Draft class. A draft that began on Thursday night when the Carolina Panthers selected Alabama quarterback Bryce Young first overall drew to a close Saturday evening, when the Los Angeles Rams added Toledo defensive tackle Desjuan Johnson, making him this seasons Mr. Not a quarterback youll use on designed runs. It helped me last year going into my senior year. The former Norfolk State offensive lineman earned FCS All-American honors last fall. Mobile passer in a spread offensive scheme. Sturdy pass catcher, who easily adjusts to the errant throw and keeps the play in bounds. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine Big-bodied pass catchers who can bully at the catch point, be physical in the ground game, and add yardage after the catch are always in high demand. Ahlers displayed a next-level arm and the ability to make all the throws. His scrambling will be less effective at the NFL level where defenders are faster and more disciplined. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). Dont mistake slightness for weakness. Please. Ahlers is expected to sign with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reports. Plays like a big-bodied receiver, uses his frame to shield away defenders, and breaks tackles after the catch. Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. The PFN Draft Preview takes a deeper look into the potential 2023 NFL Draft prospects set to hit the field for East Carolina this season. He showcases explosion and speed off the edge, and has the length to be disruptive in multiple phases of the game. NFL Draft Profile: Holton Ahlers, Quarterback, East Carolina Pirates - Visit NFL Draft on Sports Illustrated, the latest news coverage, with rankings for NFL Draft Now I had three months with him. Ahlers finished his Pirate career with 13,938 passing yards and 97 passing touchdowns, along with 25 rushing scores. Seattle agreed to terms with former East Carolina quarterback Holton Ahlers, per NFL Networks Tom Pelissero. 29, 2023 at 6:05 PM PDT | Updated: On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & resort (KS). He was the No. THANK YOU GOD! Ahlers benefits from playing lower-level competition, but he has kept ECU in some close games against teams like BYU (2022) and North Carolina State (2022). He suffers from his fair share of poor ball placement, possibly because of his release. Ahlers added another 182 yards and six touchdowns as a rusher. His response revealed incredible information about him. Call (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelpline.ma.org (MA), Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). All Rights Reserved. The draft is over, but players are still finding their NFL homes, The 2023 NFL Draft is in the books. East Carolina quarterback Holton Ahlers entered the season as an afterthought in the scouting community and was looked upon as a player who would be lucky to receive a minicamp invite. NFL mock draft 2024: Historic WR prospect, reigning Heisman QB lead next years class. Additionally, Jones linebacker physicality shows up in blocking. 5 mins ago 1 min read Ahlers is expected to sign with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reports. He showcases toughness both in and out of the pocket, with deceptive athleticism to extend plays. Not wanting to be a distraction to his teammates, Ahlers has opted to delay his decision for the time being in regards to the 2022 season. Who are the players you should be watching for when the Pirates take to the field this fall? Measurables: Height: 6-3 (53%*) Weight: 237 (91%*) Hands: 9 6/8 (58%*) Arm: 31 (24%*) Span: 75 3/8 (40%*) *Percentile It wasnt his testing numbers but rather his passing workout. At 63 and 230 pounds, Ahlers is built for the rigors of the NFL. Several other ECU players in this year's draft class are considered NFL prospects, headlined by Mitchell, a projected mid-to-late round running back who posted a 4.37 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. No ECU Pirates drafted in 2023 NFL Draft ECU Pro Day Holton Ahlers (WITN) By Eric Gullickson Published: Apr. However, as much as you might want to turn the page to the 2024 NFL Draft, and start yelling about USC quarterback Caleb Williams, UNC quarterback Drake Maye, Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Penn State offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu, and the rest of the potential upcoming class, we have one last matter to attend to. Theres still several good quarterbacks available. Ahlers plays too much hero ball. Keaton hit good times at the NFL Combine and had a good showing at ECU Pro Day as well. Eligibility restrictions apply. Elusive enough to scramble away from defenders, gets outside the pocket to avoid the rush, and keeps his eyes downfield. I agree to receive the "Fantasy Football Today Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. Strengths: Small, but explosive running back who creates yardage. But for those players who didn't hear their names called, hope is not lost. The signal-caller threw for 3,708 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 67.2% of his passes during 13 games in 2022. God is good Im a Seahawk Lets work!!! By Tony Pauline April 6, 2023 It was great. @bxbyshaq pic.twitter.com/VphvATnoab. In 2017, the Associated Press named him the North Carolina Offensive Player of the Year and a First-Team All-State selection. Johnson also signed with Seattle UDFA. He threw 28 interceptions. Thanks for reading Sports Talk with Sam Teets! He currently has questionable pocket awareness at best, which contributed to his nine fumbles in 2021. One way for NFL teams to get to know more about their prospects is by interviewing their coaches. He twice earned All-Conference honors in baseball. Displays good route discipline, finds ways to come free, and consistently settles into the open spot of the defense. Sign up for the Seahawks Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Overall: Jones really watched his game take off after moving to tight end and found his next-level position. He needs to learn when to throw the ball away and live to fight another down. Effective with his hands, stays square, and anchors in pass protection. A fifth-year quarterback this past season for ECU, Ahlers enjoyed the most prolific season of his career in 2022. Johnson, Isaiah Winstead, Ryan Jones, Keaton Mitchell and more. God is good Im a Seahawk Lets work!!! Hes top three in the world at what he does. 2021 Production: 12 games, 414 attempts, 256 completions, 3,126 yards, 18 touchdowns, 10 interceptions + 116 carries, 204 yards, 6 touchdowns, 2020 Production: 8 games, 269 attempts, 165 completions, 1,927 yards, 18 touchdowns, 9 interceptions + 54 carries, 109 yards, 1 touchdown, 2019 Production: 12 games, 442 attempts, 264 completions, 3,387 yards, 21 touchdowns, 10 interceptions + 108 carries, 359 yards, 6 touchdowns, 2018 Production: 10 games, 263 attempts, 127 completions, 1,785 yards, 12 touchdowns, 3 interceptions + 119 carries, 592 yards, 6 touchdowns, Injuries & Off-Field: Missed one game in 2018 with a knee injury, battled shoulder injury in 2022, founder and co-owner of the Christian-based apparel company Built When Broken, Awards: Four-time American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team selection, Pros: Time to throw meets NFL parameters, limited manufactured production on screens, consistent production on downfield throws, mobility to extend plays and punish defenses with his legs, large frame helps generate yards after contact, keeps his eyes downfield on extended plays, downfield passes display excellent touch, comfortable throwing on the run, 50-air-yard pass against SMU (2019), surprising number of successful plays when rolling right, applies touch at all levels of the field, avoids getting stuck when working through reads, throws with anticipation, generally throws from a good base in the pocket, trusted to alter and adjust ECUs offense depending on what he sees from the defense, stands and delivers in the face of pressure, Cons: Age, penalized three times in 2019 and 2021, nine fumbles in 2021, benefits from playing lesser competition, his scrambling will be less effective in the NFL, eight passes batted at the line of scrimmage in 2021, throwing motion dips into a loop before the release, release is delayed, sometimes quick to drop his head in the pocket and run, lacks elite velocity, doesnt have the velocity to consistently drive throws to the sideline, salesmanship on RPOs and play action is weak, needs to learn when to throw the ball away and live to fight another down, too much hero ball, pocket awareness is questionable, overthrows on short to intermediate routes because of his release, throws off his back foot when pressured, feet appear heavy and footwork is rigid, doesnt have the arm talent to consistently unlock the deep third of the field. Well start yelling about Williams and company on Monday, we promise. Theres now a possibility Ahlers lands in the late rounds. The closer the NFL Draft gets, and the more scouts lay eyes on and speak with Ahlers, the more it seems its trending towards the former. QB Holton Ahlers Seen as a potential late-round pick, but at worst will get an undrafted free agent contract quickly after the first. Meanwhile, posing a threat as a pass catcher out of the backfield, he added 253 receiving yards, tallying 10 total touchdowns. Johnsons size and strength are assets. The North Carolina Native displays good mobility for a quarterback his size. Lets work!!! A selection in the 2023 NFL Draft is a long shot, but a standout season as the Pirates CB1 could elevate his stock. Ahlers has served as a captain at East Carolina since the 2019 season. Gambling Problem? Time will tell. Seahawks general manager John Schneider indicated that the team wanted to draft a quarterback and pointed to day three as having the potential to address the position but this did not come to fruition. Shows a lot of quickness. MORE: FREE Mock Draft Simulator With Trades. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. All rights reserved. Johnson, and Keaton Mitchell, Keaton Mitchell, RB, East Carolina | NFL Draft Scouting Report, Houston Texans 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Bryce Young, John Michael Schmitz, and Rashee Rice Boost Offense, ECU vs. Cincinnati Prediction: Odds, Spread, DFS Picks, and More. Seattle agreed to terms with former East Carolina quarterback Holton Ahlers, per NFL Networks Tom Pelissero. East Carolina QB Holton Ahlers Our Latest Nfl Draft Stories 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Williams No. You'll now receive the top Seahawks Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. Holton Ahlers is one of the many interesting quarterback prospects in the 2023 NFL draft. Has a solid arm and puts speed on throws. If were able to line somebody up and it works, great. He ranked third in passing yards (11,198), second in total offensive yardage (14,784), third in passing touchdowns (145), third in total touchdowns (201), fifth in completions (670), and sixth in pass attempts (1,157). Displays great vision, finds the running lanes, and squeezes through the small openings of the offensive line. ECU lineman Noah Henderson picked up by the Buffalo Bills UDFA as well. Your login session has expired. Seattle agreed to terms with former East Carolina quarterback Holton Ahlers, per NFL Networks Tom Pelissero. Diminutive ECU cornerback Malik Fleming has the physicality to mix it up with much bigger receivers than his 510, 187-pound frame. There are still talented players available, and we will keep track of all the signings for you here at SB Nation. With the 2023 NFL Draft in the books, GMs around the league are competing to sign undrafted rookie free agents. According to Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network, Ahlers is starting to get some serious buzz as a late-round pick. Seattle also saw three of the top four quarterbacks go off the board before the Seahawks were on the clock at No. QB Holton Ahlers Seen as a potential late-round pick, but at worst will get an undrafted free agent contract quickly after the first. Here is an updated look at the Pirates who have declared for the National Football League (NFL) draft. Bills Mafia!! Ahlers left high school ranked among the most statistically accomplished quarterbacks in North Carolina history. He threw for 2,457 yards and ran for another 1,142 as a high school sophomore while amassing 42 total touchdowns. Overall, Ahlers is a large, mobile quarterback who extends plays for large gains downfield, but his throwing motion and arm talent put limitations on his upside as a prospect. Role & Scheme Fit: Mobile passer in a spread offensive scheme. Heres our first projection of the 2024 NFL Draft class. Its just a matter of whether or not he becomes an NFL Draft pick, or has to agree to termsas a priority free agent. Ahlers responded by turning in a terrific senior season and leading East Carolina to the Birmingham Bowl, where the Pirates put a beating on Coastal Carolina. 543 recruit according to 247Sports and No. Odds and lines subject to change. Hes a reliable possession wideout who is most effective running short and intermediate routes. As a high school senior, Ahlers completed 223 of 358 pass attempts for 3,763 yards, 61 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Not only did the Seahawks not take a quarterback at No. That left them with 62 on their roster. Ahlers was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals. East Carolina QB Holton Ahlers Our Latest Nfl Draft Stories 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Williams No. Weaknesses: Not a big or powerful ball carrier and is easily brought down at the point by a single defender. Ahlers spent the majority of his five years at ECU as the starting quarterback. His accuracy and ability to perfectly place passes had scouts grinning. Though he wont be drafted, I fully expect Ahlers to challenge for a No. Against Navy in 2021, facing a clear blitz on a critical fourth down late in the fourth quarter, Ahlers checked to a certain pass play knowing full well hed get demolished. Ahlers sometimes makes the poor decision to throw off his back foot when pressured, which creates easy potential turnovers for defenses. Before we dive into the traits that Ahlers possesses, it is worth noting that he will be entering his junior year in 2020, and there is no guarantee he enters the NFL (24%*), 75 3/8 He needs to learn when to throw the ball away and live to fight another down. Dates, Draft Order, Location, and More. If Mike Houstons team can continue their upward trajectory in the AAC, there are several potential prospects who could push for their selection next April. The 2023 NFL Draft has wrapped -- but the team-building process continues with the signing of undrafted rookie free agents. The pass catcher was suspended indefinitely earlier this year, with his 2023 NFL Draft status presently unsure. The Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, and New York Giants are all interested in the ECU signal-caller. But were not gonna panic and push just to do it. Getty Im finally becoming a real quarterback, a pro quarterback, Ahlers said at Pro Day. Pirate invasion in Seattle! After a barren class last cycle, what could the 2023 NFL Draft hold for the East Carolina Pirates? He suffers from his fair share of poor ball placement, possibly because of his release. 543 recruit according to 247Sports and No. D.H. Conley grad Holton Ahlers shared he has signed with the Seattle Seahawks. Somehow, it feels like hes been around forever. Like every prospect each year entering the draft process, every part of Ahlers' life is being analyzed by teams. He was an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 77 grade out of 100. There are too many plays where he holds the ball too long in the pocket or scrambles around looking for an open man downfield when the best option is to throw the ball away.