With the No. 139 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals selected Houston quarterback Clayton Tune. With some uncertainty surrounding the availability of Kyler Murray heading into the season, it made sense that the Cardinals selected a rookie, but one with vast playing experience.
Tune played for five seasons with the Cougars, appearing in 47 games. He completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 11,994 yards, 104 touchdowns and 41 interceptions. Tune showed some mobility and rushing ability as well, gaining 1,248 rushing yards and adding 15 more scores on the ground.
Despite being the ninth quarterback selected in the draft, Tune isn’t lacking confidence. He still believes that he is the best quarterback in this year’s draft class after leading the Houston offense for as many seasons as he did.
“I think I’m the best quarterback in this class and God’s got a plan for me,” Tune said, via Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic. “If you look at my body of work, the effect that I have on my team that I play on, I elevate everyone around me. I’m a natural leader, people follow me and see the work that I’m putting in and the mindset that I have, and they want to follow suit. I have that no-flinch mentality when things get going tough. Those are some of the intangible things, and then being able to make every throw on the field, being able to make plays off schedule and being more mobile than people realize.”
There are certainly a lot of things to like about Tune’s game, which he lays out in that quote. He exhibited toughness and leadership on a weekly basis for the Cougars, setting an example for his teammates to follow.
Eventually, he could have a similar impact at the next level. The Cardinals are a great landing spot for him as he has a chance to move up the depth chart quickly. With Murray injured, there will be competition to see who gets on the field.
Veteran Colt McCoy is likely the leader in the clubhouse with David Blough and Jeff Driskel also on the roster. Those three veterans and Tune will get all of the reps this offseason and training camp with Murray rehabbing, providing them a chance to put some good performance on tape for other franchises to see.
While Murray is the unquestioned starter when healthy, the competition for his backup job will be a fierce one. Tune will have a real shot at locking down that job should he perform to the level he is capable of.
