MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — In the past week, even with Super Bowl hype in full bloom, ballyhoo of a different sort involving a player with Utah ties has taken root.
Both Yahoo Sports and the New York Post have recently penned articles about the pro prospects of Utah State quarterback Jordan Love, who left the school following his junior season to pursue his NFL dream.
More particularly, there were questions about how Love compares to Patrick Mahomes, the reigning NFL MVP quarterback who has his Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV, set to face the San Francisco 49ers in the title game Sunday at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
The timing was appropriate, considering Love participated in the Senior Bowl last week, trying to make a good impression on those making NFL personnel decisions.
The Palm Beach Post went as far as asking if Love could be the Miami Dolphins’ own version of Mahomes.
When Mahomes entered the league three years ago, there were questions whether he would be a boom or bust candidate. The proof is in the accolades.
A potential foremost expert on any comparisons between the two is in Miami now, too — Kansas City first-year running back Darwin Thompson. The former Utah State athlete has played in the backfield with both of them.
So, what of the comparisons? The shifty, Mahomes has a big edge in his corner.
“The poise in the pocket,” were Thompson’s first words, noting Mahomes’ ability to stay cool — and make game-changing plays — under pressure.
And, right now, it’s an unfair comparison.
“I would say Pat has a lot stronger arm, but Jordan’s arm is strong. The advantage is experience, he’s the MVP of the NFL. We’re comparing Jordan Love to the MVP of the NFL,” Thompson said.
Mahomes has stormed onto the NFL scene after spending a year learning under former Utah quarterback Alex Smith during the 2017 season. Over the past two years, Mahomes has thrown for 9,128 yards and 76 touchdowns to just 17 interceptions while rushing for 490 yards and four more scores.
Love, meanwhile, captured national attention with his 2018 season, showing what appears to be NFL caliber talent while throwing for 3,567 yards and 32 touchdowns that year for the Aggies. While his numbers were more pedestrian in 2019, Love’s pro potential is back in the spotlight again, with key offseason workouts ahead and the Senior Bowl in his rearview mirror.
“I believe that if Jordan Love gets in the NFL and learns fast, gets with the right system, he’ll take off. He’ll be a rose that grew from the concrete,” Thompson concluded.