With The First Pick
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2020 NFL Draft: Why Joe Burrow is more than a one-hit wonder

By Travis Steffen

Joe Burrow LSU (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Joe Burrow LSU (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback Joe Burrow #10 of the Ohio State Buckeyes calls out signals during a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on September 30, 2017 at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. Ohio State won 56-0. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback Joe Burrow #10 of the Ohio State Buckeyes calls out signals during a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on September 30, 2017 at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. Ohio State won 56-0. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

Learning more on Burrow

One talking point that will be brought up is the fact that Burrow transferred from Ohio State because he wasn’t able to win playing time at his first school. That alone will bring red flags for not only some fans, but scouts and coaches as well. What makes his situation different is that Burrow was never even considered for the starting role at Ohio State. He sat behind J.T. Barrett early in his collegiate career, only to be passed up by Dwayne Haskins following the 2017 season.

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Burrow was only a three-star prospect coming out of high school. Coming off a national title victory in 2014, Barrett remained to battle Cardale Jones for the starting position at Ohio State in 2015. Head coach Urban Myer was known for being hard on young quarterbacks, and Burrow was no exception.

In an interview with Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports, Jones gave some insight into what Burrow went through as a freshman. Whether it was calling him by different names, or telling him to “shut the f*** up” when he answered something in a meeting, Burrow was never taken seriously. According to The Athletic, Meyer consistently called Burrow a “Division III quarterback,” saying he “throws like a girl.”

Realizing that he would never get an opportunity to compete for the starting job, Burrow elected to transfer to LSU in 2018. He wouldn’t light the world on fire in his first season as a starter, either. In 13 games, Burrow completed 57.8 percent of his passes for 2,894 yards, 16 touchdowns, and five interceptions on the season. Struggling against top contenders, including Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, it’s not hard to figure out why he wasn’t labeled a top prospect entering the 2019 season. So what changed in 2019?

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