When the Arizona Cardinals selected Houston QB Clayton Tune with the 139th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, I’m not sure many fans thought we were seeing the selection of an NFL starting QB in 2023, but in the topsy-turvy world of the NFL, that may be what we get.
Clayton Tune Could Start for the Cardinals in 2023
With Kyler Murray still rehabbing his knee injury from last season, he is unlikely to be under center for the Cardinals to start the season, and his future in Arizona is murky at best.
Many around the NFL thought that Colt McCoy would be the starting QB for the Cardinals in 2023, and that may still be the case, but the rumblings in league circles are that the Cardinals are considering starting Tune.
Starting a fifth-round rookie seems less than ideal, but for a franchise that appears to be on the verge of a complete rebuild, it may not be the worst idea in the world to see what they have in the young signal-caller.
Tune’s Origin Story
When you grow up playing football in Carrollton, Texas, you know you have thick skin. During his high school career, Tune was one of the most prolific prep passers in Texas.
Tune threw for 6,686 yards and 66 touchdowns during his high school career. He also chipped in an additional 1,074 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground, showing off his dual-threat capabilities.
Tune initially committed to the University of Kansas before changing his mind and enrolling at the University of Houston. This decision would prove wise as Tune elevated his play throughout his Cougars career.
Tune’s College Career
Tune arrived on the Houston campus as the understudy for then-starting QB D’Eriq King. King was injured toward the end of the season, and the freshman Tune started the final two games of the year.
Tune entered the 2019 season as the backup to King again, but King surprised many when he announced he was sitting out the remainder of the season. Once again, Tune stepped up when called upon, even if his play was shaky.
The light really turned on for Tune during the 2021 season as he threw for 3,546 yards and 30 touchdowns. He was now on the map as a player to watch entering his final season.
In 2022, Tune ended his Houston career on a high note, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 40 touchdown passes. He had improved every step throughout his collegiate career and advanced from an afterthought to a legitimate NFL Draft prospect.
Why Did the Cardinals Draft Tune?
The Cardinals need a short-term answer at the QB position. With Murray injured and many questioning his future in Arizona, the Cardinals are searching for solutions at the most critical position in professional sports.
Tune may be the long-term answer for Arizona, or any team in the NFL, for that matter. He profiles as a long-term backup that possesses NFL size and the mentality the position demands.
Tune has gone from an under-the-radar flier to an NFL Draft pick, so he possesses the moxy to prove the doubters wrong. He’ll have his chance because the NFL doesn’t lack for critics, and Arizona is a franchise in disarray.