Can a quarterback be 5 11?
But shorter quarterbacks are certainly not uncommon. Denver Broncos starter Russell Wilson runs at just 5'11", and while no current starters are six feet even, there are several who are six feet, one inches.
While some players have found success at 5'11” or 6' tall -- like Drew Brees, Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray -- they've been the historical exception to the rule. In fact, Brees, Wilson and Murray are among just a handful of quarterbacks who have found success at six feet tall or shorter.
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
His height. At 5'11”, many NFL evaluators felt that Wilson wasn't tall enough to be a successful pro passer.
Physical Measurables: Height: 6'2"
Historically, taller quarterbacks have been preferred in football due to their ability to see over the offensive line and scan the field more easily. However, there have been successful shorter quarterbacks who have excelled in the game, such as Drew Brees and Russell Wilson.
In American football, players come in a wide range of heights, and 5'11" is not considered short for most positions. While some positions may favor taller players, such as quarterbacks and linemen, others, such as running backs and defensive backs, often have players who are around 5'11" or shorter.
Who Is The Shortest Quarterback in the NFL? At just five feet, ten inches, number one overall 2023 draft pick Bryce Young (who will start his NFL career in Carolina with the Panthers), and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray rank as the current shortest. But shorter quarterbacks are certainly not uncommon.
You can't measure talent by the height listed in the program — just ask these players, who currently hold rank as the shortest NFL players of 2023. All under 5-foot-7, none of them come close to the all-time record, which still belongs to Jack Shapiro, who stood 5-foot-1.
| NAME | GP | YDS |
|---|---|---|
| Carl Brumbaugh | 60 | 569 |
| Keith Molesworth | 36 | 783 |
| Al Moore | 2 | 0 |
| Bernie Masterson | 72 | 3,366 |
Since 2000, 368 quarterbacks have played in the NFL; only nine have been shorter than 6 feet. Only three current quarterbacks in the league are under 6-0 — the Broncos' Wilson, the Cardinals' Kyler Murray (5-11) and Bears backup P.J. Walker (5-10). And 6 feet is a line of demarcation.
Can I be a short QB?
Historically, taller quarterbacks have been preferred in football due to their ability to see over the offensive line and scan the field more easily. However, there have been successful shorter quarterbacks who have excelled in the game, such as Drew Brees and Russell Wilson.
Russell Wilson's Height
Russell Wilson is one of the shortest quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL. In fact, only a handful of quarterbacks who have been successful in this league are shorter than him. Wilson stands at just 5 feet 11 inches (1.8 m).
American football
At 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m), Doug Flutie was initially considered to be too short to become an NFL quarterback despite his Heisman Trophy-winning success at the college level.
So for a long time now, the prototypical QB height was the 6ft 4 to 6ft5 inches. Tall enough to see over the line and stand strong in the pocket. And if you were below 6 ft 2 inches as a QB, you would have a hard time being seen as a starting QB in the NFL.
However, taller quarterbacks have some advantages, such as being able to see over the offensive line and having a larger throwing radius. Generally, quarterbacks in the NFL are between 6'2" and 6'5" tall, although there are some exceptions on either end of the spectrum.
In American football, linebackers come in a variety of sizes and play different roles depending on the defensive scheme. While there is no strict height requirement to be a linebacker, most linebackers in the NFL are between 6'0" and 6'4" tall.
Only 13 percent of the starts were made by quarterbacks 6-1 or shorter. Nearly half (48 percent) of the starts were made by quarterbacks 6-4 or taller. Taller is better on draft day.
Absolutely you can. It would help if you are very skillful and very fast in your position if you don't have the height or the strength as the other players on the team. Many guys succeed even the NFL with their height being very short.
At 285 lb (129 kg), Lorenzen was the heaviest quarterback to play in the NFL. He was nicknamed "The Pillsbury Throwboy" and "Hefty Lefty" because of his weight and being left-handed.
Watch Deuce Vaughn embarrass the Cowboys defense
However, he's not the only one who has shined despite his stature. Jack Shapiro, at 5' 1", holds the record as the shortest player in NFL history.
How tall is the tallest NFL player?
At 7 ft 0 in, Sligh is the tallest player in professional American football history. The next tallest are Matt O'Donnell at 6 ft 11 in, Morris Stroud at 6 ft 10 in, and Dan Skipper at 6 ft 10 in.
| NAME | GP | REC TD |
|---|---|---|
| Sterling Shepard | 91 | 23 |
| Laquon Treadwell | 81 | 5 |
| Robbie Chosen | 120 | 30 |
| Tyreek Hill | 124 | 76 |
| NAME | GP | TRG |
|---|---|---|
| Keenan Allen | 139 | 1,308 |
| Marquise Goodwin | 114 | 376 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 162 | 1,505 |
| Cordarrelle Patterson | 127 | 328 |
Bob Sanders (5'8" 205)
One of the top strong safeties in the game today, Bob Sanders dominates on the football field. Even though he is shorter than almost every other player on the field, he still capitalizes on every opportunity he gets.
Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Patrick Mahomes are the only NFL quarterbacks to have multiple 5,000 yards seasons; Brees accomplished the feat a record five times, while Brady and Mahomes have accomplished it twice.
