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NFL Draft: Can Jake Rudock be the Next Tom Brady?

By Chris Peterson

Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Jake Rudock (15) throws the ball in the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Jake Rudock (15) throws the ball in the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan football’s Jake Rudock has a long way to go, but after being picked in the sixth round of the NFL draft by the Lions, his path to the league is similar to Tom Brady’s.

16 years ago, former Michigan football quarterback Tom Brady was selected in the sixth round of the NFL draft by the New England Patriots and the rest, as they say, is history. The question now, is can another Wolverine quarterback, Jake Rudock, follow Brady’s path to NFL success?

Related Story: Rudock completes turnaround, is drafted by Detroit Lions

Obviously, it sounds ridiculous. The idea that Rudock could become the next Brady seems incredibly foolish. Yet, back in 2000, the idea that Brady would someday become the greatest quarterback is NFL history, also seemed pretty outlandish.

However, when you look at the path each quarterback took the NFL and the situations they landed in once they were selected in the NFL draft, you will see more similarities than you would think.

For starters, Brady, like Rudock, didn’t grab command of the starting job at Michigan until his senior season. Of course, Rudock started at Iowa for two seasons, before transferring to the Wolverines last season, because he was about to be replaced as the Hawkeyes’ starter by C.J. Beathard.

Entering fall camp, Rudock wasn’t even guaranteed to be the starter. Eventually, he beat out Shane Morris and despite a slow start to the year, he proved to be an excellent quarterback, completing 64 percent of his passes, while throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also threw just seven interceptions.

In Brady’s senior season, he completed 61 percent of his passes, threw for just over 2,000 yards and tossed just 16 touchdown passes.

Neither signal-caller put up big numbers, but they both won. Each led their team to 10 wins in their senior seasons and both were regarded as smart, accurate passers, with backup potential in the NFL.

Brady went to New England, which had an established pro-bowl quarterback in Drew Bledsoe. Rudock, who was picked in the sixth round of the NFL draft just like Brady, went to the Lions, a team that also has an established pro-bowl quarterback in Matt Stafford.

Both Brady (6-4, 225) and Rudock (6-3, 208) have ideal size for the position and were able to deliver the ball with NFL-level accuracy. The chance to sit behind Bledose afforded Brady the chance to get stronger and learn the nuances of pro football — Rudock will have that same chance in Detroit behind Stafford.

Rudock will probably never be Brady, but he is more than capable of having a long NFL career and even if he’s never great, you can’t deny that the similarities between Brady and Rudock are striking.

Next: Michigan's Top 5 NFL Draft Prospects for 2017

History often repeats itself and maybe, just maybe, Rudock can capture some of the same magic Brady did en route to a better than expected NFL career.

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