ASU Football: Manny Wilkins watching and studying many of the NFL’s elite QBs

On top of watching his practice film, game film & significant tape on his upcoming opponent, ASU football QB Manny Wilkins has turned his eyes to the pros.

They say to be the best, you’ve got to learn from the best.

Arizona State starting quarterback Manny Wilkins has put that saying into action.

On top of watching his practice film, game film as well as significant tape on his upcoming opponent, Wilkins has turned his eyes to the pros.

“I’ve studied a lot of film on NFL quarterbacks,” Wilkins said. “When I watch NFL games now on Sunday’s when it’s our off day, Monday night football, you know I don’t watch it for the enjoyment of watching the game anymore, which sucks sometimes. But, you know, I like to see what they’re seeing.

So far this season, Wilkins extra film sessions seem to be paying off.

The redshirt junior from Novato, CA, hasn’t been the problem for the 1-2 Devils. Instead after an injury-ridden season a year ago, Wilkins is having the best season of his short collegiate career.

Through three games, Wilkins, sporting a 68.3 percent completion percentage, has thrown for 924 yards, seven touchdowns and, maybe most impressive, no interceptions.

More from Devils in Detail

• Sun Devils Primer: Game 2 vs Oklahoma State
• Sun Devil Insight: Quarterback Room
• Arizona State Spotlight: Kenny Dillingham
• Arizona State 2023 Season Opener: Off To A Good Start
• Arizona State vs USC Prediction and Promo (Expect Offensive Fireworks)

Wilkins was timid in the pocket last year — escaping it often as he became known more for his circus act of hurdling defenders, then his acumen of throwing the ball.

He’s taken strides with his pocket presence and demeanor in 2017, sitting back until one of his many talented receivers gets space downfield — and part of that transition is due to some things he’s seen from the pros.

“[I’ve picked] up on little things that help you sit in the pocket more,” Wilkins said. “Those dudes just sit in the pocket and deliver.

“My goal is to sit in the pocket and deliver the football.”

Some of his favorite quarterbacks to watch and study include a talented trio of Super Bowl starters.

“[I watch] Aaron Rodgers, I watch a lot of Tom Brady film – [ASU quarterback] Brady White would say he’s the GOAT, but I think Aaron Rodgers does some pretty special things,” Wilkins said. “[Also] Matt Ryan, he has some really good technique stuff he does with his footwork.”

The Sun Devil starter not only rakes in knowledge from the guys on the other end of his television set, he learns from the voices that echo from it.

Wilkins, including most of the country, were pretty impressed by the tape of Tony Romo predicting plays before they happened during his CBS broadcasts.

“A good thing to think about is how Tony Romo was calling the plays. If I could do that, man – that would be so amazing,” Wilkins said. “What he’s seeing, now when I’m watching the games, I’m like, ‘okay, now they’re overlook to the left, run right.’

“Or you see press coverage on the outside, ‘okay, man-to-man throw,’ is he going to take it or is he not going to take it? So that’s just my mindset and it’s helped out a lot – I think I’m seeing the game a lot differently now.”

Football players can get stuck in their normal routine, watching the same things with the same people. Granted most college football players probably watch a few NFL games on Sundays, but unlike most, Wilkins has taken a common practice and used it as a learning opportunity.

Next: ASU Football: Manny Wilkins isn’t the problem

And when it comes down to it, Wilkins can learn a lot from just watching himself, but who better to learn from then Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady?