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Jordan Love, a three-star recruit from Bakersfield Ca, had one FBS offer out of high school (Utah State) At 6-4, 224 lbs, Love has prototypical NFL size to go with a big arm. NFL scouts believe he has the tools to be an NFL starter. But, his inconsistent play in 2019 (141.9 QB rating, 49th nationally) created some skepticism following a stellar 2018 season where Love ranked 10th nationally with a 158.2 QB rating.
Per NFL.com
Challenging evaluation for quarterback-needy teams balancing traits and potential against disappointing 2019 tape. Staff turnover and new starters across the offense are partly to blame for his regression, but self-made flaws in process were also concerns.
Jordan Love must improve his consistency at the next level
In 2018, Love only faced one ranked opponent (Boise State), and he was fantastic compiling 363 yards, 3 TD's, and 1 INT, completing 61% of his throws. His yards per att avg in the Boise State game was 7.7. In 2018, Love averaged 8.6 yards per attempt (11th) throwing for a TD to INT ratio of 32/6. Love's 2019 TD/INT ratio 20/17.
Love struggled against ranked opponents in 2019 starting with LSU, where he completed only 50% of his throws for 130 yds (4.3 yds per), 0 TDs and 3 ints. Other ranked opponents included an Air Force defense that ranked 81st in yards per pass attempt allowed (7.6) in 2019. Love completed 61% of his throws for 114 yards, 5.0 yards per attempt, and 1 TD to 0 ints.
Against Boise State, Love completed 58% of his throws for 229 yards, 1 TD, and 0 ints. In three games against ranked opponents. Loves Aggies were outscored 129-34 in all three games against top 25 opponents losing all three contests.
Jordan Love Strengths
Can stand in the pocket and make the tough throw
Good deep ball placement
Can accurately make tough throws between the hashes
He has good enough wheels to improvise and move chains with his legs if needed.
Has strong arm, and arm talent
Jordan Love Weaknesses
Needs to learn to read zone coverage more consistently
Relies on arm talent, or arm strength in a situation where a check-down or throwaway is the better situation.
Slow wind-up when throwing
Needs to use eyes better to move safeties
Needs to improve overall consistency at the QB position in order to succeed at the next level.
Jordan Love vs. top 25 opponents
Another way I like to analyze a player is how they performed statistically vs. top 25 opponents. As stated above, Utah State struggled against top 25 opponents in 2019, and so did Jordan Love.
Love completed 56% of his throws, for 473 yds (158 yds per game), 2 TD's and 4 INT's against top 25 opponents in 2019 with a 99.26 QB Rating (69th) Love raked 79th in yards per attempt (5.3) vs. top 25 opponents in 2019. Against all other opponents, Love didn't fare much better, ranking 75th in QB rate (136.06). His yards per attempt (7.6) ranked 68th nationally.
Conclusion
Love is getting a lot of attention, with some scouts comparing him to Pat Mahomes in terms of his arm talent and potential. Other scouts are skeptical and believe that his inconsistent 2019 season cost him money that he would have otherwise made if he had left school a year earlier. Whatever team takes a chance, they are getting a good prospect who needs a season or two of seasoning before being trotted out as a starter. If Love can improve his ability to read coverages and improve his decision making, he can be a viable NFL starter.