What makes LSU quarterback and potential first overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft via the Cincinnati Bengals Joe Burrow so good?
Quite a bit, actually.
Burrow erupted in 2020 on his way to the Heisman Trophy in one of the biggest leaps for a quarterback prospect in recent memory.
Bruce Feldman of The Athletic sat down with SEC coaches to pick brains as to what Burrow made tick and this note from a coordinator stuck out:
“He’s playing at as high a level as I’ve ever defended. He knows what he’s doing; knows where he wants to go with the ball and does everything really confidently. His ability to make plays with his feet when you do cover him, or when things break down, is the added element that is really challenging when you’re trying to set up a plan to stop him.”
Other coaches compared Burrow to collegiate Johnny Manziel in the way he created unstoppable momentum. And otherwise, the obvious stuck out — his arm, going through reads and improv ability while keeping his eyes downfield.
It’s important to note this is from SEC coaches who threw everything they had at Burrow and he still almost casually completed 77.6 percent of his passes for 5,208 yards and 55 touchdowns against six interceptions.
Somewhat in order to keep things interesting, the draft process usually tries to knock down each prospect a peg and create intrigue, especially at No. 1. But keep stuff like this in mind when that happens — the Ohio kid is understandably likely on his way home.
