The latest in a series on top prospects by position leading up to the April 26-27 NFL Draft:

Top prospects: QB | OT | G-C | OLB | ILB

The Michigan quarterback lit up his bowl-game opponent, impressing some who weren't quite sure what to make of him.

Yes, he had talent. Yes, he had a good arm. But this game was different than most. He showed a command of the offense, making split-second decisions that led to big plays, looking like a potential NFL starter.

That player in 2000 was Tom Brady.

Henne made scouts look again with a huge bowl game. (US Presswire)

What they will see is a quarterback who is moving up on many team's boards. Boston College's Matt Ryan is considered the top quarterback by most teams, but Henne and Louisville's Brian Brohm are closing as of late.

"The more you look at those two the more you like what they've done," said one NFC coach. "The separation isn't what some would lead you to believe."

Brady lasted until the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft -- how that happened after his impressive Orange Bowl victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide is a mystery -- but there's no way Henne lasts that long this year. The more the scouts go back and crosscheck his work, the more they like him.

Henne had the label of inconsistency during his four years at Michigan, looking like a star one game and a so-so passer the next. But his performance in the Wolverines' blowout of the Florida Gators in the Capitol One Bowl on New Year's Day has done wonders for his draft stock.

Playing in a spread offense for most of the game, something different than what the Wolverines normally did in his career, he was in command the entire 60 minutes. He threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns, some laser throws just past the outstretched hand of a defensive back.

"He handled everything at the line of scrimmage," the NFC head coach said. "He had a great feel for what he was doing. That's what you want to see from a quarterback."

Don't go crazy thinking I'm comparing Henne to Brady because that's not fair. But it is interesting to think of how both had impressive final games of their careers after some disappointing moments during their time at Michigan.

When Brady lit up Alabama, the focus was on Michigan receiver David Terrell, who went in the first round that year. When Henne did it to Florida, the focus was also on his receivers as well.

Mario Manningham, one of those receivers, was considered a first-round pick during the season, something that probably won't happen now with reports of positive marijuana tests.

Did the receiver make the quarterback? The scouts obviously thought that back when Brady came out. They'd be wise not to make the same mistake again.

"It was definitely a different perspective against Florida," Henne said. "We spread them out. We went empty. I was in the shotgun a lot. And throughout my career, I was mostly under center. It shows versatility, I guess, being in the shotgun and able to go under center."

Henne had to deal with a lot of adversity as a senior last season. He missed two starts after injuring a knee in the second game. He then dislocated a shoulder later in the season against Illinois, and he wasn't right until the bowl game.

After throwing 22 touchdown passes and eight interceptions as a junior, the big season everyone expected didn't come in 2007. The injuries hurt, the Wolverines struggled and Henne tossed just 17 touchdown passes against nine interceptions. His completion percentage dropped from 61.9 in 2006 to 58.3 last season.

"The shoulder was very difficult," Henne said. "I did that in Illinois, I played through that game. I missed Minnesota after that. It was tough. But against Florida, it felt pretty good."

He followed that up by having a good week of practice at the Senior Bowl and earned MVP honors in the game. His ability to pick things up quickly that week impressed the scouts. His teammates say it's one of his strong points.

"He can read a defense like that," Michigan receiver Adrian Arrington said, snapping his fingers. "Before the ball is ever snapped, he knows exactly where the ball is going to go."

He also has 47 starts on his resume. That's impressive. After starting 12 games as a true freshman, he had greatness written all over him. He might not have achieved that level in college, but the tools have been there.

Maybe that Florida game is the proof that the NFL scouts needed to believe he could be a Pro Bowl quarterback. Some are starting to believe it now as his draft stock rises.

Had the scouts used the bowl finale of that famous Michigan quarterback seven years ago as a gauge, history might be a lot different. Maybe the New England Patriots never get Tom Brady. Maybe he goes in the first round to another team. Maybe he doesn't become the model-dating, paparazzi-shaking, glamour quarterback.

Word of warning to scouts this year: Don't make the same mistake on Henne. He's a first-round talent. Just watch the Florida tape, and it's hard to argue the point.