After only one full season and part of another as UCLA’s starting quarterback Josh Rosen already has established himself as one of college football’s top passers. And NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah sees some similarities between the Bruins junior and a two-time Super Bowl champion: New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.
“In terms of how he’s played the position, and maybe even athletically a little bit, I wrote down Eli Manning,” Jeremiah said during this week’s Move The Sticks Podcast. “That’s who, skill-set wise, he kind of reminded me of.”
Rosen was outstanding as a true freshman in 2015 with 3,670 passing yards and 23 TDs, but a shoulder injury cut his sophomore year short last year. He’ll look to rebound this fall as a junior, but he’s already compiled enough impressive game film to draw praise from Jeremiah, a former NFL scout with the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens.
“He’s got a firm base. You see him climb up in the pocket, and he is smooth and easy. You talk about a natural throwing motion, he’s outstanding, and he’s aware,” Jeremiah said. “I thought he got a little bit greedy at times when he could have taken some (completions) underneath, but he does a nice job of keeping his eyes up under pressure. He needs to do a better job of giving up on a play. He takes some unnecessary sacks because of that.”
While Rosen impressed Jeremiah, the offensive help around him did not.
“Last year, I watch them, and, A) they can’t separate, B) they can’t catch, and C) they can’t protect,” Jeremiah said.
Hopefully for Rosen’s sake, the Bruins will give him more support this fall. It might just make the Manning in Rosen come out even more.
Source: NFL
