He was expected to redshirt in 2008, but came off the bench halfway through the season to help the offense, going 34-of-65 (52.3 percent) for 280 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.
Hansen began 2009 on the bench as a sophomore, but took over the starting job early in the season and started the final seven games, finishing 129-of-231 (55.8 percent) for 1,440 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions.
He started the 2010 season as the starter, but missed the second half of the year with a ruptured spleen, going 112-of-164 (68.3 percent) for 1,102 yards, six touchdowns and six picks.
Hansen started every game in 2011 as a senior and had his most productive season (13 starts), finishing 231-of-412 (56.1 percent) for 2,883 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Hansen, who throws right-handed even though he writes with his left hand, shared playing time most of his career with Cody Hawkins. He faced a tough situation battling the coach?s son at quarterback, but worked hard and earned his playing time.
Over his career, he was stuck behind a suspect offensive line and inconsistent weapons around him, recording only eight wins in 29 career starts.
Hansen has better than expected zip on his short-area throws with a tough-minded attitude and playing style, but he possesses poor height and a limited overall skill-set ~ a priority free-agent who is nothing more than a long-term development project.
***
Positives: A regular in the weight room and has done a nice job filling out his frame with solid muscle. Mobile athlete with the foot quickness to easily move around in the pocket and pick up positive yards when he tucks and runs ~ 478 career rushing yards with eight scores on the ground. Has a snap delivery and smooth release with efficient mechanics.
Possesses very good velocity on short-to-intermediate throws and the ball appears to jump out of his hand. Tough competitor with a fighting attitude ~ handled adversity throughout his career as the on/off starter.
Very good bloodlines as both parents were standout athletes at San Diego State (father started at quarterback while his mother was a sprinter/hurdler).
Negatives: Undersized and short in stature ~ looks diminutive in the huddle. Average arm strength and doesn't look comfortable on some out and downfield throws. Erratic passer and struggles with consistent ball placement ~ has a tough time fitting passes into tight windows.
Struggles with his decision making process and doesn?t always look confident when surveying the field. Very up/down career with a record of only 8-21 (.276) in 29 career starts and was never very productive with a 35-to-28 TD-to-INT ratio and career 58.0 completion percentage.
Missed the final five games in 2010 with a ruptured spleen and suffered other injuries.
NFL Comparison: Nate Davis, free agent."
-- Dane Brugler
Lacks a great mental clock in the pocket as well, feels ghost pressure at times flushing himself backward and too often gets fidgety for no reason. His accuracy and ball placement suffer significantly because of it and struggles at this stage to be much of a threat with his arm once he’s force to deal with pressure and/or move his feet.
However, when his feet are set he does a nice job getting the ball out of his hands quickly.
Displays good balance in the pocket, transfers his weight well from his back foot, strides into throws and has a compact release. His ball placement and accuracy are both very good when he has time to deliver the football as he is capable of anticipating throws when he knows where to go with it.
Lacks a great physical skill set and doesn’t quite have the arm needed to make all the throws routinely in the NFL. Has a tendency to under throw the deep bucket passes and his balls take far too long to get outside the numbers. Doesn’t seem to decipher information overly well at this stage from the pocket.
Tries to go through his progressions across the field, but gets caught holding onto the football far too long. Missed time last season with a ruptured spleen and doesn’t seem to possess the frame needed to take the pounding at the next level.
Impression: He’s undersized, lacks a big arm and struggles with pressure. Overall, doesn’t have the upside needed to warrant a pick."
Will be adapting to a pro-style offense under the direction of new offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy as a senior and could be challenged by a new system that might not play to his strengths as an accurate short passer."