In the 2020 NFL Draft quarterback class with Tua Tagavailoa and Justin Herbert, don’t forget about the Utah State star.
NFL Draft Profile
Jordan Love, Quarterback, Utah State
Measurables: 6’3, 224 pounds
2018 stats: 267-417, 3,567 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, 6 INTs, 7 rushing touchdowns
Career stats: 396-652, 5,198 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, 12 INTs, 9 rushing touchdowns
Games watched: BYU (2018), San Jose State (2018), Air Force (2018), Hawaii (2018), Michigan State (2018)
Strengths
- Mobility
- Accuracy
- Release
- Touch
- Athleticism
- Arm talent
Weaknesses
- Post-snap manipulation
- Timing
- Inconsistent mechanics
- Aggressiveness
- Adjustments to offense
Jordan Love was an extremely accurate and efficient passer for a Utah State team that is ready to compete for the MWC. pic.twitter.com/jkQ5PHyrSY
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 11, 2019
There’s been a lot of buzz about Jordan Love being a potential QB1 candidate for the 2020 NFL Draft. Pro Football Network’s own Tony Pauline put him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and The Athletic’s Dane Brugler put him 10th overall in his first NFL Draft top-50. For my debut Mountain West piece, I wanted to hit the tape of the pre-season Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year.
Breakdown
It’s really easy to see why teams are in love with Jordan Love. Physically speaking, Love has one of the best arms in college football. When we talk about “release” with a quarterback, we talk about how they throw the football. Is their throwing motion smooth? Do they get the ball out quick enough? is it thrown from the right angle, etc. These are all questions we ask when evaluating mechanics and release. Love, while inconsistent in this area, has demonstrated enough reps to place him near the tops of the 2020 NFL Draft class.
Dane Brugler reported that a scout told him Love was “Mahomes-like”. From a pure arm talent perspective, I don’t agree with it. While Love’s arm is great, Mahomes is on another planet in that area. From a mechanics standpoint, Mahomes had some issues that he improved in his season behind Alex Smith and perhaps Love could benefit from that as well. However, when we talk about the mentality of Love and his ability to throw from multiple angles, that is where the Mahomes comparison comes in.
— AJ Schulte (@AJDraftScout) August 22, 2019
On the run, cross-body throw, and this is money. You can’t place this any better. There are plenty of throws like this on his film that demonstrate a phenomenal ability to throw with touch and timing.
The arm talent, while not Mahomes-like, is still NFL-worthy. Love threads this small window with ease. In the red zone, over two defenders. This is another NFL throw.
Money, money, money pic.twitter.com/cYri0YJpyF
— AJ Schulte (@AJDraftScout) August 22, 2019
Jordan Love isn’t the perfect prospect, however. There are times where he fails to adjust to the defense post-snap or he fails to manipulate any defenders around. He also has a fair amount of turnover-worthy plays that he’ll need to tone down due to his aggressiveness. He struggles to throw with timing due to inconsistent mechanics, especially on outbreaking routes.
The new Utah State coaching staff is also a downgrade. While there are some pieces around Love, especially on the Aggies defense, Love isn’t working with a great team. How he handles playing with one returning starter will go a long way into determining his draft stock. If he shines, particularly when Utah State goes to Death Valley against the LSU Tigers, Love will hear his name called plenty high in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Author’s Note: I highly encourage everyone to read his backstory from The Athletic here. I cannot help but root for him to succeed at the next level.