SCOUTING REPORT - QB4 JORDAN LOVE, UTAH STATE

An unusual path to college football stardom and a tragic backstory highlight the impressive perseverance of former Utah State QB Jordan Love. A late bloomer, Love didn't take to the quarterback position until the latter part of his high school career and was only offered one full-ride scholarship by an FBS school. The Bakersfield, CA native would go on to make that school quite proud, earning the starting gig for the Aggies halfway through his redshirt freshman season. Unfortunately a coaching change and high player turnover across the offense contributed heavily to a concerning drop in his play from 2018 to 2019. Love forfeited his final year of eligibility and declared anyway, hopeful that what he demonstrated in 32 career starts will be enough to secure him a place in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

PROS

Arm strength apparent every time you put him on. Flicks the ball around the field with ease. Athletic and lean 6'4" frame with fluid mobility both inside and out of the pocket. Comfortable throwing on the move and with a variety of arm/release angles. Capable of quick full-field reads in the post snap. Throws the sidelines well when in rhythm. Arm strength allows weakside rollout plays to be an attacking weapon. Running threat as scrambler or read-option QB. Can surprise with jaw-dropping outlier throws. Plays with confidence and swagger when he's feeling on. Two and a half years of starting experience. Well-liked but reserved leader by example.

CONS

Concerning lack of consistency when it comes to accuracy and throw mechanics. Doesn't drive his throws and loses accuracy when he attempts to up his velocity. Inconsistent reading the field and falls into the habit of locking onto primary receivers and forcing throws into traffic. Can be dangerously overconfident in his arm talent. Several factors contributed to it, but took an alarming step backwards in 2019 after first round-caliber 2018 season. In need of considerable pocket refinement in the areas of footwork, internal clock, mechanical consistency and staying on rhythm. Ball security an issue, 29 career interceptions and a habit of mishandling snaps.

VERDICT

A player whose future will certainly be tied to the environment he gets drafted into, Jordan Love is a classic boom-or-bust NFL QB prospect. His arm talent, athleticism and upside are all blatant but unfortunately his need for refinement across the board is as well. Love requires time to develop and quality veteran tutelage but has the potential to develop into a plus starter with a similar skill set to the league's brightest emerging stars at the position.

PROSPECT COMPS

Colin Kaepernick, DeShone Kizer

GRADE

Early 2nd Round