Utah State’s Jordan Love ranked among top QB prospects for 2020 NFL draft

Utah State QB Jordan Love was ranked alongside Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama) and Justin Herbert (Oregon) as a Tier 1 prospect for the 2020 NFL draft.

Most college football and NFL draft fans know by now that the 2019 college football season and 2020 NFL draft class will be headlined by two quarterbacks: Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa and Oregon’s Justin Herbert. Jake Fromm (Georgia) is often mentioned as the next-best quarterback prospect, but that may not be the case come draft season.

It may not even be the case right now.

According to NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, it’s Utah State’s Jordan Love who deserves more attention in next year’s quarterback class and is already being clustered in the same tier as Tagovailoa and Herbert.

“The scouting community starting really buzzing about Love last fall,” Jeremiah wrote. “I talked to a respected scout who had just left the school on a visit and he told me he liked Love more than Herbert. I haven’t done a full workup on him yet, but I like what I’ve seen thus far. He is very much in the mix to be considered the top guy at the position.”

I had a chance to take a look at Love’s tape and came away impressed. He’s a toolsy prospect who needs to establish himself as a more consistent passer in 2019. His upside is immense, but he’s also the kind of player who can quickly flame out in scouting circles if he strings a few bad games together.

Love completed 64% of his passes last season for 3,567 yards with 32 touchdowns and just six interceptions. His production is on par with what’s expected from a first-round prospect, and at an estimated 6-4, 220 pounds, he checks the measurables box, too.

I’d just caution against the suggestion he’s in the same range as Tagovailoa at this point, however. Tua is the top draft-eligible quarterback in the country and I’m not sure it’s all that close. Yes, Herbert has a chance to push him for that distinction this season, but the real battle will likely be for QB2 between Herbert and Love (and maybe Fromm) and even that seems like a reach right now.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter which quarterback ranks highest on preseason, in-season or even final draft boards. Love profiles as a legitimate prospect with early-round potential and anytime a player of that quality is in a draft class, it’s a good thing.

Circle October 5 on your calendar. It’s when Utah State faces LSU in the game that will go a long way in determining Love’s final draft value. If he struggles against the Tigers, questions will loom about his ability to perform against NFL-caliber competition. If he has a big game? Get ready. The Love-fest will officially begin.