Redskins QB Robert Griffin III is the next in a new breed (Associated Press)

First, there was the Wildcat. Then, spread offenses. The college game has long proven a feeder ground for concepts that break into the NFL. But what’s next?

For that question, I asked several who work in or work closely to the college game — Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, South Florida’s Skip Holtz, and analyst Doug Flutie. Their answers were all the same. As Meyer expertly put it, “Utilizing the quarterbacks as something more than just hand the ball off and throw it.“

Yup, the mobile QB era in the NFL is alive and well, and it’s only going to grow. Robert Griffin III (right) is this year’s addition. Cam Newton and Tim Tebow have also shown what worked in college can work in the NFL. Meyer has already heard from naysayers who swear it won’t work. Sounds like he knows better.

“I heard it (before),” Meyer told me. ” ‘It’s not going to work in the Mountain West conference, it’s not going to work in the SEC, it’s not going to work in the NFL.’ It’s all dependent on who the player is. If it’s a guy that can take a hit… the NFL’s biggest, faster, stronger, more violent, so that’s real. But I think there are certain guys who can get away with it (in the league).”

Check out my story exploring the issue now posted on NFL.com.

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