By Jerry Coon

any have started to wonder if Sam Houston State University starting quarterback Rhett Bomar will have the talent to play football professionally. Going into his senior season next year, Bomar will have to look as his options and determine whether he wants to be eligible for the NFL draft.
After being redshirted his first season at the University of Oklahoma, Bomar started two games into his second year. Bomar received Heisman hype, and went on to become the MVP of the Holiday Bowl in a 17-14 win over the Oregon Ducks.
This season, Bomar had his bests stats of his college career, passing for 2,209 yards and ten touchdowns before injuring his ACL with two games left in the season.
The Huntsville Item’s Assistant Sports Editor Cody Stark followed the Bearkats all season long, and thinks Bomar has what it takes to play at the next level.
“Bomar has the talent,” Stark said. “He has the size at 6-2, 215 and has a cannon for an arm and the speed to make plays with his feet.”
Bomar’s speed helped him rush for 409 yards this season, and was second in the Southland Conference in all-purpose yards.
Bomar was dismissed from Oklahoma for NCAA rules violations, and came to Sam Houston State after being forced to sit out his first season. But once Bomar got on the field, he showed he was still capable of being a premiere quarterback.
And it is very likely Bomar could be a potential pick in the draft, he will just need a big senior year.
“In 2001, Josh McCown was drafted in the third round by the Cardinals from Sam Houston,” Stark said. “So it is possible as long as he has a big senior season.”
And many question whether or not Bomar can bounce back from his torn ACL injury he suffered in the 16-13 victory over Nicholls State on Nov. 3. Bomar ended his first season with the Bearkats with a 5-4 record as a starter. Bomar was the Bearkats' second-leading rusher behind sophomore Chris Poullard with 406 yards and seven touchdowns.
“Before the injury, he worked his tail off,” Stark said. “So he should be fine. He just needs to do everything he can in rehab.”
Bomar has been heavily looked at ever since his high school days. Bomar was a three-year starter at Grand Prairie High School. He was ranked as the nation's number one quarterback of 2004 by recruiting service Rivals.com. He threw for 1,272 yards and rushed for 547 yards as a senior.
Sam Houston became a Southland Conference favorite once Bomar was announced the starting quarterback. Bearkat coach Todd Whitten told The Huntsville item, “Rhett brings a lot of athleticism that we haven’t had at the quarterback position.”
If Bomar can return in his senior year and play well all season, he can have a legitimate shot at the NFL Draft.
“If Bomar can take care of business next season,” Stark said. “His name will definitely be called on draft day.”