2020 NFL Draft: Jordan Love struggles against LSU

Utah State quarterback Jordan Love is one of the 2020 NFL Draft’s most intriguing quarterback prospects, but he struggled in a 42-6 loss to LSU Saturday.

Love completed just 15 of his 30 pass attempts for 150 yards for no scores and three interceptions. His rushing attack was dormant as the Tigers held Utah State to just 19 yards on the ground.

We didn’t get much of a chance to see him work as the Aggies offense was only on the field for 18 minutes and 57 seconds.

As I wrote earlier in the week, Love taking care of the ball would play a primary role on if the Aggies wanted to keep this game close, and he failed to do so Saturday. Aside from the three picks, he also fumbled a snap on 3rd down in the first quarter.

The first turnover came when he under threw a go route into the end zone on one of Utah State’s longest drives of the game. LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. made a great play on the ball, but it could have been a touchdown if Love would’ve placed it in front of his target.

Love’s second came in the third quarter when he attempted to squeeze one over a breaking defensive back with inside leverage.

His third pick should’ve been ruled an incompletion, but the officiating crew failed to spot LSU safety Grant Delpit bobbling the ball as he went to the ground. It was a third down in the fourth quarter, and Love forced one downfield but he did get a chance to display his mobility rolling out of the pocket on the play.

Love was accurate in the short and intermediate passing game for the most part, although a couple did get away from him. He had a couple tightly contested slants where he was able to squeeze it in but the Tiger defense clamped down after the catch.

Love had a few chances to show off his deep ball and those flashes are exactly why he’s in first round consideration for the NFL Draft.

Aside from the throw above, Love’s other long completion came under heavy pressure on 3rd and 7 in the second quarter. He stood strong in the pocket despite multiple defenders closing in and was able to drop one in 34 yards down the left boundary.

Love had a couple other deep balls that were on target but were dropped, including a would-be touchdown on a skinny post where he placed it on the money; his receiver just couldn’t finish.

It’s still relatively early in the season, but this game could alter Love’s approach moving forward. With his interception count at eight this season after throwing just six each of the last two years, expect him to make a more concerted effort to take care of the ball.

He’s still a potential first-round prospect, and I think he ends up being a franchise quarterback at the next level, but this game brought to light some of the underlying issues his splash plays have disguised this year.

A strong performance in this game would’ve made his NFL Draft declaration this season a virtual lock. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him declare, but expect this game to be talked about throughout the draft process should he forgo his senior year.