The Rams were a bit more conservative offensively last season as they eased Hulbert in, but he did everything the team asked of him, and he looks ready to take the next step as a senior. He threw for 17 touchdowns and showed a nose for the end zone with another eight on the ground last year.

Hulbert is an accurate passer who throws with great anticipation. He is decisive in his progression, releasing the ball on time into throwing windows and rarely clutching the ball. Receivers are never left waiting for the football. Likewise, if his read is muddy, he does not panic as he will reset to find his checkdown or flip to the opposite side of his progression. His ability to accurately layer the football to every level of the field is impressive.

I’m interested to see what happens with the Cleveland coaching situation after Scott Riley’s departure. While the Rams weren’t nearly as pass-happy a year ago, Hulbert was excellent and provided occasional help on the ground, too. He’s versatile, but I do think he’d perform best in a quick-hitting, timing-based passing attack, and at this point, we just don’t know what the Rams will run.

Hulbert had a prior commitment during the Cleveland practice I attended before the season, so I didn’t get to see him throw live. Had he been there, maybe I wouldn’t have been so late to push him up the rankings. There’s been little drop off from a fourth-year to first-year starter, something that probably shouldn’t surprise us, given the track record of recent Rams quarterbacks. Hulbert commands the offense well and delivers with accuracy.

Cleveland will break in a first-time upperclassman starter for the first time in a decade this season, as Hulbert takes over for one of the state’s all-time great quarterbacks. He should be set up for success as he’s been prepped at the JV level and is well-acquainted with his offensive system. Though not who I’d consider a true dual-threat, he has above average mobility and throws well on the run. Don’t be surprised if there isn’t a big drop off when it comes to Cleveland’s offensive production.