NFL Draft 2022: Wonderlic test scores released for QB class

Hope springs eternal every year in the NFL Draft, as teams put in the time to scout and pick who they hope will be their quarterback of the future.

But playing the position is more than just being able to throw the ball. Quarterbacks need to bring a mental acuity to the game, as well, and while it's always tough to get a line on human intelligence, one method is still used every year: the Wonderlic test.

It's a 50 question exam that players take every year at the NFL Combine in preparation for the draft. The test helps determine football IQ for teams who want a closer look at what a player may do in any given situation.

And while the Wonderlic may not be a perfect means of measuring mental ability, or be the determining factor that NFL teams use, it does provide some useful information.

Now we have a better understanding of how this year's quarterback class fared on the test. Scroll through to see how each 2022 player performed, from worst to first.

2022 NFL Draft: Wonderlic scores for the QB class

7. Matt Corral

Wonderlic score: 15

Where he played: Ole Miss

The former Rebels quarterback brings up the rear in this year's quarterback testing, but there's no denying what he was able to accomplish on the field. 

Corral took over as the full-time starter for the Rebs in 2020 and threw for 3,337 yards and 29 touchdowns with 14 interceptions. He improved the next season, throwing just five picks while passing for 3,349 yards and 20 scores for the No. 6 offense in college football.

6. Kenny Pickett

Wonderlic score: 17

Where he played: Pitt

Placing second-worst in the Wonderlic is the reigning ACC champion and Heisman Trophy finalist from last season. Pickett broke a few of Dan Marino's records while at Pittsburgh and is now looking at a likely first-round NFL Draft selection. He passed for more than 2,000 yards three times in his college career, but played his best football last season with 4,319 yards, 42 TDs, and seven picks.

5. Desmond Ridder

Wonderlic score: 19

Where he played: Cincinnati

Somewhat overlooked as a recruit back in 2017, Ridder went on to leave an indelible mark on the Bearcats program, helping it earn the first-ever College Football Playoff bid for a Group of 5 team last season. He completed almost 65 percent of his passes a year ago for over 3,300 yards with 30 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Ridder posted 2,100-yard passing seasons three times at UC.

4. Carson Strong

Wonderlic score: 22

Where he played: Nevada

Strong brings the ideal size NFL teams want in a quarterback, standing at 6-4 and 215 pounds and is coming off his best passing season. After a pair of 2,000-yard outings, Strong went off in 2021, passing for 4,175 yards with 36 touchdowns and eight picks while completing 70 percent of his attempts.

3. Malik Willis

Wonderlic score: 32

Where he played: Liberty

A former 3-star prospect back in 2017, Willis began his college football career at Auburn, where he played for two seasons. He transferred to Liberty after getting minimal snaps in the SEC, developing into one of the better playmakers in the nation. He passed for over 2,000 yards in each of the last two seasons, with 20 touchdowns in 2020 and 27 scores in 2021, completing 61 percent of his pass attempts.

2. Sam Howell

Wonderlic score: 34

Where he played: North Carolina

Howell never had trouble covering the field, passing for over 3,000 yards in each of his three seasons with the Tar Heels. He never completed under 61 percent of his passes and never had a double-digit interception season as a collegian. Last season, Howell passed for almost 63 percent with over 3,000 yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions for an offense that placed No. 10 overall in college football.

1. Bailey Zappe

Wonderlic score: 35

Where he played: Western Kentucky

Zappe moved to WKU from Houston Baptist last offseason and immediately left an imprint on the game. He completed nearly 70 percent of his passes for an outstanding 5,967 yards with 62 touchdowns in the 2021 season. He broke the former passing yardage record held by B.J. Symons back in 2003, and the passing touchdown record Joe Burrow set (60) during LSU's national title run in 2019. This offseason, Zappe set another record, leading all quarterbacks in the IQ test.

(h/t Andrew Fillipponi)

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