SALT LAKE CITY — Jordan Love’s NFL career has its starting point: Green Bay.
The former Utah State quarterback was selected by the Packers with the 26th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft. He was the fourth quarterback to be taken in Thursday’s first round. Green Bay, originally the No. 30 selection, traded with Miami for the 26th pick.
“This is a controversial pick,” ESPN’s Steve Muench said in analyzing the selection. “On one hand, Love will turn into an absolute steal if he reaches his considerable upside. Aaron Rodgers is 36, and last year he had his lowest passer rating since 2015. On the other hand, Rodgers was playing for a new coach, he needs more weapons to complement Davante Adams and his window to win a Super Bowl is closing. So there’s an argument for building for this year.”
Love, who left the Aggie program following his junior season, had more than 9,000 yards of total offense at Utah State while throwing for 8,600 yards, 60 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. He had 12 career 300-yard passing games, added 12 rushing touchdowns and threw for 3,567 yards, 32 touchdowns and six interceptions during his best season in 2018.
The 6-foot-4, 224-pound quarterback from Bakersfield, Calif., has drawn comparisons to Kansas City All-Pro quarterback Patrick Mahomes for his arm strength and his ability to make plays when things break down. He’s also been scrutinized for his decision-making during the 2019 season, when Love threw an NCAA Division-I most 17 interceptions.
“Jordan trusts he can make every throw,” David Yost, Utah State’s offensive coordinator in 2017 and 2018, told ESPN. “He’s going to put the ball in harm’s way more than a guy who protects the ball but never pushes it. Jordan’s not a checkdown-checkdown-checkdown guy.”
Twitter reactions to the selection
Utah State shared a touching message from Love’s mother, Anna:
His former Aggie center, Quin Ficklin, shared of photo of him, Love and Darwin Thompson, now a running back with Kansas City.
Thompson, who was drafted in the sixth round by the Chiefs last year and won a Super Bowl ring in February, also had a response.
From Utah State quarterback Henry Colombi, who backed up Love:
And USU athletic director John Hartwell:
Congratulations also came in from the likes of Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr and former Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant:
ESPN Packers reporter Rob Demovsky brought up an interesting fact, as did the ESPN Stats & Info Twitter account.
Love shared a couple tweets after the selection:
Former Utah wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., a longtime NFL standout who is now an analyst, shared his opinion on the pick:
Former Aggie pass rusher Tipa Galeai, who’s also hoping to get drafted this weekend, shared his congratulations:
And here’s a few other random takes from around the Twitterverse: