…most advanced analytics factor in SOS as well as many other considerations. PFF for example is very thorough in accounting for elements that are favorable or unfavorable for a player. A player’s grade may be adjusted down slightly if he plays in a situation that is historically more favorable while a player in more unfavorable circumstances may get an adjustment the other way. They collect over 200 fields of data on each play, and that data helps to determine what the baseline, or expectation, is for each player on every play. When you review Zach’s advanced analytics on PFF they are impeccable, while Huntley’s were just pretty good. That’s why he was undrafted and Wilson went #2. NFL scouts and data services like PFF factor for context like SOS.

If you just look at basic stats and see one QB threw a 75 yd TD pass and another QB threw a 40 yd TD pass you might assume the first QB had a better play. PFF drills down in that instance and looks at a long list of circumstances to bring context and meaning to the play like the spot where the QB threw from on the field, was he pressured and had to leave the pocket or did he make the throw from a clean pocket, was it the case where the WR caught the ball behind the LOS then broke several tackles and ran 75 yds after the catch, while the 2nd QB threw a dime off platform from the right hash mark under pressure back to the left sideline for 40 yds and the TD? That is a Big-Time Throw, the first one is not. That’s the depth PFF drills down to get accurate evaluations.

Zach’s PFF analytics in 2020 were amazing, Huntleys in 2019 were very good. Last season ZW had the highest on target percentage on his deep throws, ahead of Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones, Kyle Trask, Spencer Rattler, etc completing 72%. He earned the highest passing grade for a QB in a season that they’ve ever given. SOS is accounted for in their grading. He was also #1 in IQR rating on his deep balls by a considerable amount. In 2020 ZW dominated the QB position in college football while Huntley dominated a weak Pac12 conference in 2019.

Mere stats are often misleading and don’t provide much in the way of context. PFF does.