Drew Stanton

Michigan State Recruiting: Breaking down Rocky Lombardi's game

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:27 p.m. ET

Fansided, Stephen Robb/FanSided via Spartan Avenue

Rocky Lombardi is the only quarterback Michigan State recruiting is taking in the 2017 class and here’s what he brings to the table.

Rocky Lombardi is the quarterback for this Michigan State recruiting class and he is a gifted gunslinger. The Spartans are fortunate to have his services for the next many years.

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Rocky Lombardi is a stud quarterback prospect out of West Des Moines, Iowa, at Valley High School, standing 6-foot-4, 219 pounds. He has NFL size and possesses the ability to run with the ball. He tossed the pigskin for 1,463 yards and 20 touchdowns during his senior season.

While those numbers may not be that impressive, he did not pass much as he did his sophomore and junior campaigns. However, if you watch any of his highlight films then you will be amazed at what this quarterback can do. He was 26-5 as a three-year starter and threw for 57 touchdowns in his career. This kid is a winner.

Lombardi told The Des Moines Register that his leadership skill is in context, meaning he tends to look to the past in order to understand what to work on in the present. He used this in transforming his throwing motion and was able to get a quicker release and maintain arm strength.

Often when one watches recruiting videos they witness a QB with all day to throw, however, that was not always the case with Lombardi. He was often under pressure on film, yet was able to avoid the rush and maintain field of vision and spot the open receiver down the field. He is elusive and is skilled to run the read-option. Lombardi has excellent footwork and is able to set quickly and the ball rockets out of his arm.

Lombardi is a quarterback in the mold of former MSU QB, Connor Cook. He can thread the needle with the best of them, but his running ability reminds me of Drew Stanton. I would classify him as a combination of both. However, Rocky has the arm strength and accuracy to toss the deep ball with touch and finesse.

My only criticism and this is nick-picking, yet he tended to on some throws make the receiver wait a split second for the ball. This something that can be worked on and he will as he progresses. I love this recruit and believe he will be an outstanding player for MSU.

There is no family connection to the great coach Vince Lombardi, however, when you watch him play he is as aggressive