Max Duggan - QB - TCU
Welcome to the rookie profile for Max Duggan. Max Duggan, the 4-year starter that led the TCU Horned Frogs all the way to the College Football Playoff Title game now seems to be the forgotten man in the 2023 quarterback draft class. Despite an impressive resume Duggan hasn’t received much publicity among the top quarterbacks in this class and routinely goes outside of the third round in rookie drafts. While prolific at TCU, Duggan’s productivity seems to have been largely aided by being surrounded by a star-studded cast of offensive weapons. Duggan doesn’t profile as much more than a career backup and will likely find a career path similar to that of former journeyman quarterback Shaun Hill.
Measurables
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 204 lbs
Age: 22
40-yard dash: TBD
3-cone drill: TBD
20-yard shuttle: TBD
Vertical Jump: TBD
Broad Jump: TBD
Bench Press: TBD
*age is at the start of player’s rookie year
College Stats
| Passing | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | AY/A | TD | Int | Rate |
| 2019 | TCU | Big 12 | FR | QB | 12 | 181 | 339 | 53.4 | 2077 | 6.1 | 5.7 | 15 | 10 | 113.6 |
| 2020 | TCU | Big 12 | SO | QB | 10 | 146 | 240 | 60.8 | 1795 | 7.5 | 7.6 | 10 | 4 | 134.1 |
| 2021 | TCU | Big 12 | JR | QB | 10 | 145 | 227 | 63.9 | 2048 | 9.0 | 9.2 | 16 | 6 | 157.6 |
| *2022 | TCU | Big 12 | SR | QB | 15 | 267 | 419 | 63.7 | 3698 | 8.8 | 9.5 | 32 | 8 | 159.2 |
| Career | TCU | 739 | 1225 | 60.3 | 9618 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 73 | 28 | 141.4 | ||||
Notable Headlines
Duggan was a 4-star recruit and was ranked as the top recruit in Iowa coming out of Lewis Central High School. Despite scholarship offers from many Power 5 schools, Duggan chose to attend TCU.
In 2019 as a freshman Duggan started in 9 games throwing for 2,077 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions after taking over as the starter in week 3.
Max was diagnosed with a rare heart condition prior to his 2020 sophomore season and required a lengthy surgery to correct the issue. Two days later he suffered a blood clot and required additional surgery. Despite this condition, Duggan was ready to go for week 1 and he went on to lead TCU to a Texas Bowl appearance (canceled due to covid) and finished the season with 1,795 yards passing, 10 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions in the covid shortened season.
In 2021 Duggan returned for his junior season but his season was hampered by a series of lingering injuries. In his limited action, Duggan racked up 2,048 yards passing with 16 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
Entering his senior season in 2022, Duggan was informed he would be the backup to the new starter Chandler Morris. Duggan opted to remain with the team and be a good teammate, which in the end led to him regaining his job as the starter after Morris suffered a knee injury in the season opener. Duggan went on to lead a prolific TCU offense to the National Title game totaling 3,698 passing yards with 32 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.
Scouting Report
Positives
Duggan showed the ability to stick it out during adversity on numerous occasions during his time at TCU and NFL teams will see this as an indication of his strong leadership skills. He also showed grit, determination, and toughness as he played through many games at far less than full health.
He has above-average athleticism and is able to extend the play with his feet and intelligence. He shows great ability to read a defense and makes great decisions with the ball.
Duggan has a good but not great arm with regard to strength and accuracy and is a more than capable passer.
Negatives
Max lacks elite arm strength and struggles at times to take the top off the defense with deep throws.
His mechanics are about as raw as any quarterback in this class and he will require patience as he develops into an NFL-caliber quarterback.
Duggan is only 6’2” and 204 lbs which leaves him particularly vulnerable to injury given his affinity to rush and take on unnecessary contact. This, combined with his prior history of heart issues is certain to scare off many teams and will likely result in him being a day 3 pick as his list of potential suitors will likely be short.
Pre Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital- Round 5/6
Ideal Landing Spot- New Orleans Saints
Max profiles as a career backup and journeyman so don’t read this as me penciling him in as the Saints’ 2023 starter, rather I think he could be a serviceable backup behind Winston, Carr, or whoever it is that the Saints start at quarterback in 2023.
Duggan would benefit from a Kyle Trask-like NFL path that sees him sit as strictly a backup behind a veteran quarterback for one to two years.
His profile isn’t one without any potential or upside, but the path to Duggan being a fantasy-relevant quarterback is a long and unlikely one. He’s a worthy stash for a fantasy manager who has a late-round pick they can afford to burn on a developmental quarterback but they would have to realize that the pick is more than likely going to result in a waiver-caliber player.
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Image Credit: Jerome Miron – USA TODAY Sports
