Todd Centeio came to James Madison with minimal hype after average stints at Temple and Colorado State. The signal caller turned into one of the best quarterbacks at the Group of Five level while in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Centeio finished the 2022 season with 2,697 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 10 games with the Dukes. He added 366 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, helping JMU win eight of its 11 games in its first season at the FBS level.
Quality player
Centeio’s quickness made him a special player for JMU. He extended plays when pressured in the pocket and ran the ball efficiently on designed runs.
NFL teams like adding mobile quarterbacks, as speed at the quarterback position forces defenses to account for a different element. The Philadelphia Eagles made the Super Bowl leaning on the legs of Jalen Hurts to power an efficient offense.
Centeio isn’t just a shifty quarterback either, as he possesses plenty of strength and size as a runner. At 225 lbs, Centeio looks comfortable lowering his shoulder and finishing runs through contact. He dealt with some injuries in 2022, but Centeio’s size should help him handle contact at the next level.
As a passer, Centeio made smart decisions in 2022. He limited turnovers and ran JMU’s offense to perfection. He plays with above-average arm strength, and showcased good accuracy throughout his season in the Sun Belt.
There’s a lot to like with Centeio, and while he’s not a lock to be drafted, he’ll likely be a sought-after undrafted free agent if he slips through the draft. Centeio performed well in a challenging Group of Five league, going from an unknown prospect into a viable late-round draft option.
Height, age are questions
Fair or not, some NFL teams and scouts love tall quarterbacks. Centeio is only about 6-feet tall, which could be a concern for some teams.
Centeio’s playing and starting experience is a plus, but he also started his college career in 2017. Centeio is older than some of the other quarterbacks in the draft, and teams might lean toward a younger option with their draft picks, especially if they’re looking for a developmental prospect to add as a backup or practice squad performer.
Although Centeio only put together one elite collegiate season, he thrived at JMU in a scheme built around his skills. Given his mobility, Centeio should intrigue NFL teams. Centeio can extend plays well, and offensive schemes with designed quarterback runs could put Centeio’s strengths on display. He’d seemingly mesh well with what the Baltimore Ravens, for example, like out of their quarterbacks.
As a passer, Centeio showed he can make sound decisions and throw the ball accurately while at JMU. He showed good touch on his passes despite playing through injury throughout the 2022 season.
It’s unlikely Centeio is drafted as a projected starting quarterback, but his athleticism makes him a capable backup quarterback. If put in the right situation, it’s possible Centeio could develop into a serviceable NFL starter.
Quarterback depth is important, and Centeio figures to earn a shot with an NFL team, even if he’s likely to begin his career in a backup role.
Bennett Conlin is a college football contributor for HERO Sports, and he works full-time covering sports betting industry news and legislation for Sports Handle and US Bets.
