Nate Sudfeld is built in a slightly different than Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy, but the rookie quarterback hopes to learn behind the duo while soaking up the NFL experience.
Outside of a brief meeting with Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan at the annual East-West Shrine Game in January, Nate Sudfeld had no contact with the team over the next few months.
That was until Saturday afternoon when Sudfeld fielded a phone call from the Redskins, one that would inform him that he has a home with the team.
"I really didn't talk to them after [the East-West Shrine Game], so I thought I either made a really good impression and [McCloughan] liked me and wanted to keep it quiet, or I tanked it," Sudfeld told reporters. "So I'm glad to know that I did pretty well in that interview and they liked me."
On the other end of the call from Sudfeld was Redskins head coach Jay Gruden, who asked the quarterback if wanted to join Washington.
The answer was pretty simple.
"I said absolutely," Sudfeld said. "And he said they were going to take me with their next pick and I was just thrilled. I know Coach Gruden, his track record, as a coach and with quarterbacks, is awesome. Coach [Matt] Cavanaugh has done a great job with quarterbacks. And I know Kirk Cousins is a great one as well. I followed him a lot as he's been at Michigan State with me being from Indiana."
Sudfeld enters a situation where he likely won't play at first, but if he's needed behind Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy, he has all the physical traits to step right into the huddle with ease.
He's big (6-foot-6, 234 pounds) and experienced, leading Indiana to a bowl appearance during the 2015 season, the first time the Hoosiers participated in postseason action since 2007.
During his senior season, Sudfeld was among the most productive quarterbacks in college football, throwing for 3,573 yards and 27 touchdowns with just seven interceptions on his 412 pass attempts.
With the 187th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins selected quarterback Nate Sudfeld of Indiana. Take a look at his collegiate career in photos.
Sudfeld said the increase in production came from an opportunity to develop his skillset while evolving as a teammate and leader.
"I think I just got on the same page with receivers even more," Sudfeld said. "Made sure I led a bunch of offseason workouts and things like that. It was good for me to be in my fourth year. I thought my head coach, Coach [Kevin] Wilson, really did a good job with developing me and pushing me. Even when I was playing well he pushed me to play even better. So I learned to never take for granted a win or just think that I've made it."
Gruden is ready to see what Sudfeld can do with the Redskins, even if he has to wait his turn behind two established NFL veterans.
"I'm excited about him, man," Gruden said of Sudfeld. "He's a tall quarterback, obviously, played at Indiana. …He's very accurate with the football. He's made all the throws. I really like the fact that he has great anticipation in the pocket."
Gruden added that Sudfeld is "very functional in the pocket for a big man as far as buying time in the pocket."
"I think he has a great upside and we're excited to have him," Gruden said.
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