The 2020 NFL draft class is not too deep when it comes to the quarterback position. With the draft less than a couple of weeks away, I find the Steelers should have their eyes on a particular quarterback out of the Mountain West Conference.
Jordan Love is one of the most intriguing prospects out of the whole 2020 class. His ability to run offenses, extend players, and throw power are top-tier entering the NFL Draft. So is he a player the Steelers should consider if he slips in the draft?
Love started all three years for the Utah State Aggies. He compiled a career stat-line of 8,600 passing yards, 60 passing touchdowns, a completion percentage of 61.2%, a quarterback rating of 137.9, while only throwing 29 interceptions. The table below shows just how productive the 21-year-old prospect was annually for Utah State.
| Jordan Love stats | Passing yards | TD: INT | Completion % | Rushing TD’s | QB rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshmen | 1,631 | 8:6 | 54.90% | 0 | 119.3 | |
| Sophomore | 3,567 | 32:6 | 64.00% | 7 | 158.3 | |
| Junior | 3,402 | 20:17 | 61.90% | 2 | 129.1 |
Jordan Love’s sophomore season
Jordan Love’s growth from year one to year two is mind-boggling, and the main reason he is getting the national attention he is receiving to this day. Love deserves all the exposure. After all, his sophomore year was made up of statistics such as a quarterback rating of 158.3, 32 passing touchdowns, only six interceptions, 3,567 passing yards, and led his team to an 11-2 record.
In addition to his pro-caliber arm, his legs served as a red-zone threat as well with seven rushing touchdowns during the 2018 college football season. All of these elements that took place during his sophomore year should have shown what Love is capable of doing in the NFL. Hopefully, the Pittsburgh Steelers took notice.
Ranked opponents
I want to highlight Utah State’s two contests against ranked opponents. I find how a prospect plays against top tier football programs says a lot about the success they will have at the next level. The first was week one of the season against the Michigan State Spartans. Jordan Love finished the game completing 29 out of his 44 passing attempts, for a total of 319 passing yards, one rushing touchdown, and throwing two interceptions. The Aggies went on to lose the game 31-38.
I want to point out the Spartans ended the season giving up the eleventh least total offensive yards per game, and was also ranked eighth in points allowed per game. That Michigan State defense was led by two current National Football League players in Justin Layne and Khari Willis. Layne currently plays cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Willis plays safety for the Indianapolis Colts. All of this information factors in on why Love struggled that first game of the 2018 season.