SALT LAKE CITY — Utah State’s Jordan Love didn’t do anything to dissuade the optimism surrounding his pro prospects during the NFL scouting combine on Thursday.
Quite the opposite.
Following the on-field workouts by quarterbacks, the former Aggie earned plenty of praise for his efforts at the annual event in Indianapolis. Love, who was rated the No. 18 overall prospect in the 2020 draft class — and third quarterback overall — by NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah before the scouting combine, got a bump in hype following his workout.
“Of all the quarterback names here in Indianapolis that have been buzzing the hallways, late-night bars and restaurants, Jordan Love much more so than anyone,” NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said, per NFL.com. “I’ve talked to general managers, assistant GMs, coaches, they all wanted to see how this guy threw because his buzz is kind of building. We’ve all kind of assumed that he’s a first-round quarterback. I would not be surprised now, upper-end of the first round, maybe even heading up into the top 10.”
The 21-year-old Love, who stands 6-foot-4 and 224 pounds, is drawing comparisons to third-year Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who earned Super Bowl MVP honors earlier this month after leading the Chiefs to a 31-20 Super Bowl LIV win over the San Francisco 49ers. Mahomes is known for his athleticism and ability to make all kinds of throws, even on the run, qualities Love has shown in his game.
USU’s former star is embracing the comparison.
“Different teams ask me who I’d compare my game to, and I’d say that too, as well, just as far as arm strength and playmaking ability,” he told Yahoo Sports. “I mean, I’m not saying I’m Patrick Mahomes at the end of the day. But I love his game, I love watching his game, and obviously, that’s something I’m trying to implement in my game, as well.”
Much has been made of Love’s 17 FBS-leading interceptions last year to go with 20 touchdown passes, one year after he threw 32 touchdowns and just six interceptions as a sophomore.
Again, Love didn’t shy from the scrutiny.
“You’ve got to take the good with the bad,” Love told USA Today. “It’s never fun, but if I don’t want to talk about it, I don’t have to throw 17 interceptions next time.”
The 2020 NFL draft takes place April 23-25 in Las Vegas.
Love’s NFL scouting combine numbers
40-yard dash: 4.74 seconds (seventh among QBs)
Vertical jump: 35.5 inches (tied second)
Broad jump: 9 feet, 10 inches (fifth)
Three-cone drill: 7.21 seconds (sixth)
20-yard shuttle: 4.52 seconds (tied ninth)
NFL.com prospect grade: 6.33 — will be starter within first two seasons