Tag: Utah State

2020 NFL Draft: Breaking down potential Titans QB prospect Jordan Love

Jordan Love has been connected to and mocked to the Titans on more than one occasion.

The future at quarterback remains unclear for the Tennessee Titans with the practically certain departure of Marcus Mariota and the situation as it stands with Ryan Tannehill.

If Tannehill doesn’t return to Nashville in the upcoming season, the team will look to free agency and/or the 2020 NFL Draft for his replacement.

And if he is the Titans’ starter in the upcoming season, he’ll surely need a competent backup.

Former Utah State signal-caller Jordan Love, who has been connected and mocked to the Titans on multiple occasions, could come into play.

Here’s a complete breakdown of the quarterback.

Pros 

There’s a lot to love about Love.

He’s a flashy quarterback with incredible arm strength, a beautiful over-the-top release and he can fit the ball into what look like impossibly tight windows.

His general accuracy is decent, despite last season’s alarming interception total (17), as Love finished out a three-year career at Utah State with a completion percentage of 60.3.

Love also has the mobility and athleticism to keep a play alive, and to break away and make something out of an unlikely situation.

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Utah State Survives 75-72 At Colorado State

In a battle for 2nd place in the Mountain West, Utah State survived a late CSU run to win 75-72. Sam Merrill led the Aggies with 32 points.

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Utah State Holds On To Win In Fort Collins

The Aggies emerged victorious after a back and forth battle for second place in the Mountain West.

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The Aggies get a resume boosting win.

After a slow first half, this game ended in an exciting finish between two teams battling for second place behind San Diego State. Utah State survived a late second half run from Colorado State to earn a quad two win and boost their NCAA tournament resume.

The first half was a back and forth battle between the Aggies and Rams. Both teams started hot, before a Utah State run put them up by nine. Neemias Queta and Sam Merrill led the Aggies run. While Isaiah Stevens was the Rams leader at half with 11 points.

Queta had eight points and eight rebounds before getting his third foul with four minutes left in the first half. Merrill had 12 points and crossed the 2,000 point barrier in the first half. The Rams had a run at the end of the first half, but Utah State responded to take a seven point lead into half.

The second half was more back and forth. Both CSU and Utah State were on fire in the second half, with both teams shooting plus 50% from the field. CSU shot almost 70% in the second half, but couldn’t get enough stops on defense. Each team went on multiple runs throughout the second half, with Utah State escaping with the win after the Rams’ last gasp run fell short.

Merrill continued to go off, adding 20 points to his first half total to finish with 32 points. Queta was held out early in the second half with foul trouble and only added six more points to his total to finish with 14 points, but did add three rebounds to finish with a double-double.

Colorado State fought hard in the second half, but they let Utah State answer their runs. The Rams had moments in the second half where they would get the game into a one to two possession game and then let up. The Aggies would then respond with a run of their own to grow the lead again.

The Rams had multiple players step up in the second half and ended with four players in double figures. Stevens finished with 19 points, Nico Carvacho finished with 12 points, while both Adam Thistlewood and David Roddy finished with 10 points.

Utah State will stay on the road, as they head to California to face Fresno State. Colorado State will also head on the road as they head north to face Wyoming, in the second half of this year’s Border War.

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2020 NFL Draft: Could the Titans add QB Jordan Love?

The Tennessee Titans have some decision-making to do at the quarterback position as they face a long offseason.

The Tennessee Titans have some decision-making to do at the quarterback position as they face a long offseason.

The writing has been on the wall for Marcus Mariota, who could be starting elsewhere next season.

Former Miami Dolphins signal-caller Ryan Tannehill was a huge asset on offense, recording one of the best seasons of his career after taking the reins in Week 7.

Whether or not the team choose to extend Tannehill or franchise tag him remains to be seen, and they could also make the move to pick up a free agent quarterback to draft a rookie this year.

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If they go the latter route, Utah State quarterback Jordan Love could be an appealing option.

The Titans could very well be in the running to draft Love, according to a report from Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller.

He ended off 2019 with a 61.9% completion percentage, throwing for 3,402 yards with 20 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.

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That’s five more interceptions than the first two years of his career combined.

In the previous year, he completed 64% of his pass attempts for 3,567 yards with 32 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

While he’s been knocked for this apparent “regression” we have to consider that Love lost his starting offensive line, strongest running back, top wide receiver, on top of his head coach resigning and being forced to learn an entirely new offense between those two seasons.

You’d be pressed to find a quarterback who would have handled those circumstances better than Love did.

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“I don’t really know what other people think,” Love told me after the Senior Bowl. “I’ve got confidence in myself, and I know I’m going to end up in the best situation for me. I’ve probably got doubters out there somewhere. Everybody’s got haters.”

It will be interesting to see what the Titans do in the first round in April, but Love will be a big get for whichever team he lands with, regardless of where that may be.

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Saints pick Jordan Love in Mel Kiper’s first 2020 mock draft

The New Orleans Saints selected Utah State quarterback Jordan Love in the first 2020 NFL mock draft from ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper.

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What are the New Orleans Saints going to do in this year’s NFL draft? They have just two picks in the first three rounds (slotting in at Nos. 24 and 88) but plenty of roster needs, ranging from a starting left guard and number-two wide receiver, to a potential quarterback of the future. It also wouldn’t be a shock if they added talent on defense at linebacker or cornerback.

ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper released his first 2020 mock draft, and he projects the Saints to select Utah State quarterback Jordan Love. Love turned in a solid week of practice ahead of the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., showcasing his big arm and ability to throw with anticipation. Just 21, he would be a great option to develop while Drew Brees chases one more Supr Bowl title:

So you probably see Love’s stat line — 20 touchdown passes, 17 interceptions — and think this pick doesn’t make sense, but you need to know the context around this Utah State team. Love lost his top five pass-catchers from his breakout 2018 (32 TDs, six INTs), along with a few starters along the offensive line. The Aggies just didn’t have the offensive talent around him to compete. At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Love can make every throw, and NFL teams are high on his talent. He could be a first-round pick with a strong pre-draft process, which started in Mobile, Alabama, at the Senior Bowl. As for the Saints, this pick is all about projection. There’s no guarantee that 41-year-old Drew Brees will return in 2020, and Teddy Bridgewater is also a free agent. Love could develop for a year or two behind a bridge quarterback. New Orleans, by the way, doesn’t have a second-round pick, so it needs to hit here.

Now, whether Love will be available so late in the first round is anyone’s guess. It’s a very fluid situation behind LSU phenom Joe Burrow, the consensus number-one prospect, and some combination of Love, Alabama star Tua Tagovailoa, Oregon senior Justin Herbert, and Oklahoma passer Jalen Hurts is expected to fill out the top-five behind him, with other prospects like Jacob Eason and Jake Fromm in the mix. Don’t be surprised if the Saints end up making a bold trade to go get their next quarterback.

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Utah State QB Jordan Love impresses at Senior Bowl

Utah State QB Jordan Love should be a name on Bears’ radar. But Love might not fall to the Bears in 2nd round if he continues to impress.

One of the quarterbacks that serves to profit most from the Senior Bowl is Utah State’s Jordan Love, who has been projected to be anywhere from a mid-first-rounder to a second-rounder in the 2020 NFL Draft.

But following his impressive start Tuesday at the Senior Bowl, you can feel his stock certainly rising.

Given the uncertainty at the quarterback position, the Bears are certainly scouting quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl as potential replacements for a struggling Mitchell Trubisky, who will enter his fourth season in 2020.

Love would certainly fit the bill for the Bears — an athletic, dual-threat quarterback with a big arm. But the Bears certainly wouldn’t be the only team in need of his services. And it might get even harder if Love continues to impress scouts this

Love fielded questions about his decision-making, which has been a big concern for him. While Love had a 32-touchdown, six-interception season as a sophomore, he followed that up with 17 interceptions in 13 games in 2019.

“You gotta push the ball downfield to make those big throws but also be smart with it,” Love said. “You don’t have to force every throw.

“I’ve learned a lot. Every interception, for me, that’s a learning moment. Obviously, I had 17 learning moments last season. It’s something you can go back and watch film on and learn from.”

Love has even drawn comparisons to Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who the Bears passed on in the 2017 NFL Draft.

“He’s just out there making magic happen,” Love said. “I like the comparison. We’ve both got strong arms. He obviously makes ridiculous throws. I hope to be able to be on the same platform as him.”

While Mahomes is a once-in-a-generation talent, if Love can be even half as good as Mahomes, the Bears would be in business. Only problem is, Love’s not likely to fall to them in the middle of the second round.

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Utah State QB Jordan Love impresses at first day of Senior Bowl practice

Utah State quarterback prospect Jordan Love is a name to watch in the 2020 NFL Draft, and he’s already off to a hot start at the Senior Bowl

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The New Orleans Saints will probably be on the lookout for a new quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft. All three incumbents — Drew Brees, Teddy Bridgewater, and Taysom Hill — are pending free agents, and it’s no sure thing that each of them will return next season. Beyond the short-term need to fill out the roster, there’s long-term concerns about who could inherit the starting quarterback job from Brees once he rides off into the sunset. Bridgewater could be courted by other teams in free agency, and Hill plays his best football when he isn’t asked to drop back and pass.

One draft prospect who could be the new heir-apparent might be Utah State quarterback Jordan Love. Love has a reputation as a gambling gunslinger (he’s thrown 60 touchdown passes in his career against 29 interceptions, with just 20 scores against 17 of those turnovers in his last year) but his arm talent can’t be denied. He’s done a good job in practice with the South Team at Senior Bowl practice, impressing Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling:

LSU’s Joe Burrow and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa appear to be the clear-cut top two in this year’s quarterback class, but there’s a battle brewing for the next spot, and Mobile is the venue. Oregon’s Justin Herbert looked as advertised during Tuesday’s South team practice, but Utah State’s Jordan Love looked every bit at promising.

While both passers missed a handful of throws, they also displayed the arm strength, touch and placement NFL decision-makers will want to see. Don’t be surprised if both of these guys finish the week strong, and challenge for top-10 consideration come April.

If Love does end up getting top-tier consideration and Saints coach Sean Payton is a big believer in him, it’s not impossible to imagine another big trade up the draft board for Payton to get his guy. We’re not too far removed from the Saints trading up to No. 14 for Marcus Davenport, a move that cost them two first-round picks (No. 27 in 2018 and their 2019 selection) and a fifth-round pick (No. 147).

Before that, in the 2017 draft, two teams made big leaps up the board for quarterbacks. The Houston Texans swapped two first-round selections (No. 25 in 2017 and their 2018 pick) to get Deshaun Watson at No. 12. And the Kansas City Chiefs traded two first-rounders (No. 27 in 2017 and their pick in 2018) and a third-round pick (No. 91) to move up to No. 10 for Patrick Mahomes.

The Saints currently own picks at Nos. 24 and 88, as well as a few third-day selections and their entire 2021 allotment. Nobody in Houston or Kansas City is arguing about their team’s bold move; if Payton believes Love is the right fit, it’s very possible he follows their lead.

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2020 Senior Bowl: Practice schedule, rosters

2020 Senior Bowl: Practice schedule, North-South rosters

Nothing signals the end of one NFL season and the subsequent start of the next like the Reese Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

With the NFL Draft being the league’s next huge event, the biggest collegiate all-star game going convened on Monday, as this week in Mobile, Alabama, the top senior draft prospects will come together to practice, compete, interview and play against each other in front of NFL’s top decision-makers, coaches and evaluators.

With practices scheduled to begin on Tuesday and the game set for Saturday afternoon, here is this week’s schedule in its entirety.

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Tuesday:

South team practices from 1-2:30 p.m. ET, followed by the North team from 3-4:30 p.m.

Wednesday:

North team practices from 12:30-2:30 p.m. ET, followed by the South team from 3-5 p.m.

Thursday:

North team practices from 12:30-2:30 p.m. ET, followed by the South team from 3-5 p.m.

Friday: No practice; community events

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Miraculous comeback by Boise State sinks Aggies’ at-large hopes

RayJ Dennis scored all of his career-high 19 points in the final 3:23 of regulation as Boise State fought back from a late 19-point deficit.

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Game Recap: Boise St. 88, Utah St. 83 (OT)

Broncos erase 19-point deficit in stunning fashion

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High drama in Boise means high stress for Utah State

It seemed for all the world that Utah State was moving past its early struggles in the Mountain West, leading comfortably in Boise with just a few minutes to play.

But a late Boise State surge propelled the Broncos to one of the most unlikely wins of the season in college basketball, the home team escaping with an 88-83 overtime win in ExtraMile Arena.

Freshman guard RayJ Dennis led the comeback charge for Boise State, scoring all of his career-high 19 points in the final three-plus minutes of regulation. Dennis shot 5-for-5, including four three-pointers. He was also a perfect 5-for-5 at the free throw stripe.

It was one of the most electrifying individual performances of the season—not just in the MW, but in the nation—and it came from one of the most unassuming players on the court.

This win wasn’t just unlikely—it was all but impossible.

According to Ken Pomeroy, the win probability for Utah State (14-6, 3-4 MW) peaked at 98.8% after Justin Bean’s free throws put them up 18 points with 4:10 remaining. The Broncos’ 0.2% shot at victory was about as slim as it gets.

But on some nights, college basketball simply refuses to be penned in by such limits.

Utah State’s collapse spoiled a season-high scoring night from its star player, Sam Merrill, who finished with 30 points on the night. Bean had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Neemias Queta added 12 points before fouling out, but those performances weren’t enough to stave off the Broncos’ late push.

The gut-wrenching loss may be the final straw that breaks the back—and heart—of the Aggies.

With just over six minutes to play in regulation, Queta hit two free throws to give the Aggies a 62-43 lead over Boise State, matching the Aggies’ largest lead of the game at 19 points. Over the next two minutes, the Broncos only managed to chisel one point off of that deficit, with Utah State leading 66-48 with four minutes to play.

Then it happened.

RJ Williams drew a foul on Queta, the fifth of the game for the Portuguese sophomore. Over its next few possessions, Utah State alternated between missed shots and turnovers, resulting in a 14-0 run for Boise State that cut the Aggie lead to four points with one minute remaining.

After two Abel Porter free throws with eight seconds to play, Utah State held a 75-70 lead and looked like they would be able to survive Boise State’s big haymaker.

But Dennis came down and capped off his out-of-the-blue explosion, nailing a three-pointer with four seconds remaining.

Boise State’s comeback hinged on forcing one last turnover.

Justinian Jessup didn’t disappoint.

The senior sharpshooter was able to intercept Diogo Brito’s inbounds pass, and he quickly layed the the ball in with 1.3 seconds on the clock, tying the game at 75.

The two teams would take that scoreline with them into overtime. With the wind fully at their backs, Boise State drew first blood in the extra period—and never gave the lead back.

Jessup and Williams both finished in double figures for the Broncos, with Derrick Alston also chipping in 19 to tie Dennis for the team-high in scoring.

The win moves Boise State (12-6, 4-4 MW) to .500 in league play—something Utah State can no longer claim. The Broncos have had issues with depth at times this year, but the big plays out of RayJ Dennis and Max Rice down the stretch is a sign of growth for Leon Rice’s bench.

It’s a step in the right direction for a Broncos team coming off two straight losses to San Diego State and Air Force. Consistency hasn’t been this team’s strong suit this season, but any indications of progress are encouraging. If nothing else, it seems unlikely that Boise State will repeat its dismal showing in the Mountain West after last season’s mess.

For the Aggies, the loss not only hands them a losing record in conference play—it might have completely dashed any remaining hopes that Utah State had to get an at-large bid in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

Craig Smith’s team came into the season with massive expectations, but the Aggies have fallen well short of them. Utah State was pegged to win the league going away, with San Diego State a distant second in the league. Questions lingered about how the team would fare with Queta on the mend from a summer knee injury, but a 7-0 start to the season for the Aggies quelled those fears.

But since Thanksgiving, that narrative has been completely flipped on its head, with Utah State going just 7-6 in games since their holiday trip to Montego Bay for the Jamaica Classic. And things are getting worse in 2020, with the Aggies having won just one game in five tries so far in the new year. Those games include losses to Air Force and UNLV.

Even on the road, those were games the Aggies were supposed to win.

At this point, preseason projections have to be thrown out. Though it’s not entirely clear what is wrong with the Aggies, they are nowhere near where the prognosticators—myself included—thought they would be.

The Aztecs, meanwhile, are still standing as the last undefeated team in the nation.

Utah State does hold wins over LSU and Florida, but those victories won’t be enough to buoy the Aggies’ chances at getting an at-large bid. At this point, they may need to run the table the rest of the way to have a shot at one. Failing that, Utah State’s only way forward will likely be through the Mountain West Tournament.

They will have plenty of competition there, though, with San Diego State having already all but locked up their ticket to the Big Dance. No other team in the league can make such a claim, so the stakes will be enormous at the Thomas & Mack Center in March.

Let’s hope that all of those games can be exciting as this one was.

UP NEXT

Boise State: The Broncos will have something of a light week compared to their recent forays against SDSU, Air Force, and Utah State. On Saturday, Boise State hosts Fresno State (6-12, 2-5 MW), who has struggled to the tune of a 2-5 start in league play. The Bulldogs have weapons, though. Leon Rice would do well to remind his team not to rest on their laurels, especially with no midweek game to keep them sharp.

Utah State: The Aggies will look to right the ship at home against Air Force (9-10, 3-4 MW). Remember: this team beat the Aggies by 19 points just two weeks ago. The Falcons’ offense has been impressive behind the play of Ryan Swan and Lavelle Scottie, but Dave Pilipovich has yet to field a consistent winner on the year. Utah State will also host San Jose State (6-13, 2-5 MW) next Saturday.

It’s not a stretch to say that these are must-win games for Utah State if they are to have any hope at getting into the NCAA Tournament through the front door.

Andrew is a current USBWA member, covering college basketball for multiple outlets, including Mountain West Wire of the USA TODAY Sports Media Group and Busting Brackets of the FanSided Network. He also runs the Dieckhoff Power Index, a college basketball analytics system, and provides bracketology predictions throughout the season.

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2020 NFL Draft: Which surprise QB prospect could Bears target?

The Bears could possibly bring in a rookie QB to develop behind Mitchell Trubisky. Perhaps that rookie will be Utah State QB Jordan Love.

The Chicago Bears have several needs they need to address this offseason in free agency and the NFL Draft. But one of the most important is addressing the quarterback position.

While the Bears remain committed to Mitchell Trubisky in 2020, time and actions will tell if that’s general manager Ryan Pace’s true intentions.

Regardless, the Bears need to solidify the quarterbacks room. Chase Daniel and Tyler Bray are free agents and most likely aren’t going to return. Chicago needs to bring in a veteran to challenge Trubisky and possibly a rookie to develop.

Perhaps that rookie will be Utah State quarterback Jordan Love, who Bleacher Report has pegged as a surprise target for the Bears.

A second-round investment in a quality, young option to develop is a different conversation, especially since the Bears have two second-rounders in this year’s draft.

Utah State’s Jordan Love didn’t perform as well as expected in 2019. The early entrant posted a 20-to-17 touchdown-to-interception ratio. His natural skill set is obvious, though.

Love would give the Bears a safety net, while the front office could say he’s a developmental project to avoid immediately challenging Trubisky.

Love is a dual-threat quarterback who is just as accurate from the pocket as he is on the run. He’s got great athleticism and mobility, and he has the ability to extend plays with his legs. But Love is someone that keeps his eyes downfield and won’t necessarily bail from the pocket at first sign of trouble.

If Love falls to the Bears in the second round, you have to wonder if they’ll pull the trigger with one of their two second round selections.

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Report: Former Longhorns Defensive Coordinator To Join Texas Tech

Former Texas Longhorns defensive coordinator Todd Orlando is set to join his old boss Matt Wells in Lubbock according to Pete Thamel.

Following the Texas Longhorns victory over Big 12 rival Texas Tech, head coach Tom Herman relieved defensive coordinator of his duties prior to their bowl game against the Utah Utes. Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports is that Todd Orlando will stay in the state and take a job with the Red Raiders.

Orlando was on staff with Matt Wells at Utah State from 2013-2014 before leaving to take a job with Tom Herman at Houston and then Texas. It is likely that he will be the linebackers coach with Wells once again. Orlando served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach under Wells for the Aggies.