2011 NFL combine: Alabama QB Greg McElroy nearly aces Wonderlic test

2011 NFL combine: The annual gathering in Indianapolis gives a number of college players the opportunity to show all their talents, including intelligence. Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy performed exceptionally well on the Wonderlic test for potential draftees.

There have been some great quarterbacks that have come out of the University of Alabama down through the years.

Bart Starr, Joe Namath, and Ken Stabler immediately come to this reporter's mind.

Greg McElroy may not end up in that class of Crimson Tide signal callers. But he certainly made a name for himself by nearly posting a perfect score on the Wonderlic test the NFL gives to potential draftees.

The NFL uses the 50-question written aptitude test as part of its evaluation process. It must be completed within 12 minutes. McElroy got 48 out of 50 right.

For comparison, McElroy's Wonderlic score is better than some of the best quarterbacks playing in the NFL today, including Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers (35), New England's Tom Brady (33), and Indianapolis' Peyton Manning (28). Clearly, it takes more than a high-score on a written aptitude test to be a great quarterback.

But McElroy has on-field skills as well. He helped lead Alabama to the 2009 national championship and a 10-win season in 2010, including a victory over Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1.

Now, he's trying to reach the next level. Unfortunately, McElroy hasn't been able to throw during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis due to a hand injury. But that hasn't affected his confidence level.

The NFL Draft takes place over three days in New York, beginning on April 28.