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NFL Draft: Chicago Bears select Mitchell Trubisky

By Brandon Griffin

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Mitchell Trubisky (North Carolina) poses with his father David, and mother Jeanne on the red carpet before the start of the NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Mitchell Trubisky (North Carolina) poses with his father David, and mother Jeanne on the red carpet before the start of the NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mitchell Trubisky was selected in the first round by the Chicago Bears. What will now become of the former North Carolina quarterback?

Welcome to the NFL, Mitchell Trubisky.

With the second pick in the first round, the Chicago Bears traded up one spot to select the former North Carolina signal caller. Trubisky becomes the eighth Tar Heel quarterback drafted and just the second since 1975.

Trubisky also becomes the highest UNC quarterback ever drafted. The previous owner of that distinction is TJ Yates, who was drafted 152nd overall in the fifth round. Yates was also the last Carolina quarterback selected back in 2011.

Trubisky started last season as a fairly unknown commodity. He had spent the previous two seasons backing up former starter Marquise Williams. However, as the year went along, Trubisky quickly started moving up draft boards.

This change in thought was brought on by the season Trubiksy had. He finished the year with 3,748 yards and 30 touchdowns against just six interceptions. His yards and touchdowns were both school records for a single season and ranked 10th and 16th respectively in the nation.

Nov 19, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) looks to pass in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) looks to pass in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

He also was very accurate, completing 304 of his 447 passes, good for 68 percent. That 68 percent completion percentage ranked top-five nationally, and top-two amongst quarterbacks who attempted at least 400 passes.

Additionally he was also a threat on the ground. Trubisky ran the ball 93 times last year for 308 yards and five touchdowns.

Trubisky’s best game, and one that really got him some national attention, came in a win against Pittsburgh. Trubisky led two touchdown drives in the last seven minutes to turn a 13-point Tar Heel deficit into a one-point Carolina victory.

During those drives, Trubisky completed 15 of his 22 pass attempts for 112 yards and two touchdowns. He also went 4-for-4 on fourth down attempts to keep the Tar Heels alive.

Trubisky finished that game with 453 yards and five touchdowns, both career highs.

Despite only starting one season, Trubisky still ranks as one of the best quarterbacks ever at North Carolina. He ranks sixth in career passing yards and fifth in career touchdowns amongst Tar Heel signal callers.

Trubisky is now a member of the Chicago Bears. This is not a bad landing spot for Trubisky. The Bears have their starter this year in former NC State quarterback Mike Glennon, which means that Trubisky wont be rushed into play like he would’ve been at a place like Cleveland.

The other good news is that Glennon’s contract is really only one season with some team options. That means Trubisky can start as early as next season.

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