PSO Scouting Report: QB Joe Burrow (LSU)

PSO’s original Scouting Reports strive to be uniquely valuable in evaluating a player’s future outlook by focusing on the four main subjects that summarize a player’s likelihood of succeeding at the next level including: Natural Physical Tools, College Game Film, proven Production, and overall Risk that each individual player presents to a team drafting him. For a full breakdown of PSO’s Scouting Reports, click here.

Bio

Pos: QB

Hometown: Athens, OH

School: LSU

Class: Redshirt Senior

Age: 23

Height: 6’3″ (53%) | Weight: 221 lbs (44%)

Hands: 9” (8%) | Arms: 30.88” (15%)

Bench: N/A | 40 Time: N/A

Facts to Know

Heisman Trophy Winner; Starting QB for 15-0 CFP National Champion in 2019
One of the greatest statistical QB seasons in CFB history — 5,671 yds, 60 TDs : 6 INTs
Highest single-season PFF passing grade ever (since 2014)
Highest percentage of on-target passes ever recorded (tracking began 2016)
1,711 “Deep” Passing Yards (20+ air yards) – Led FBS

Physical Tools

Pros

Good size to withstand punishment (6’3″, 221 lbs)
Quick and efficient release
Throwing velocity is on point, especially on short and intermediate throws
Natural arm talent — capable of making any type of throw
Surprisingly mobile and able to evade the pocket
Quick yet patient footwork

Cons

Non-participant at the Scouting Combine (no raw numbers)
Average raw arm strength
“Tiny” hands (9” — 8th percentile)

Grade: A-

Game Film

Pros

Outstanding accuracy at all levels of the field
Impeccable ball placement — puts it where only his receiver can get to it
Throws with incredible anticipation, especially in the red zone
Clear confidence shines on film — knows he can make any throw needed
Terrific pocket presence — regularly makes the first rusher miss
More than comfortable stepping up into the pocket and delivering a strike under duress
Effective outside of structure — extends plays with his legs
Very quick to process and progress through his reads
Fantastic manipulator — lies to defenders with his eyes, feet, and pump fakes

Cons

Completely different player before 2019
Needed a season to get comfortable within the offense

Grade: A

Production

Pros

2019 Heisman Trophy; Starting QB for 15-0 CFP National Champion
Arguably the greatest statistical season in CFB history — 5,671 yds, 60 TDs : 6 INTs
Best PFF single-season passing grade ever (94.1)
43 TD passes that traveled 10+ yards (1st in FBS)
76.3% completion percentage (1st), 81.9% adjusted (2nd)
1,711 deep passing yards (1st in FBS)
Highest percentage of on-target passes in PFF history (since 2016)
85% of snaps came out of empty sets (shotgun, no RB)
Yardage nearly doubled, TD output increased 5x
10.8 YPA (2nd), 12.5 adjusted YPA in 2019 (1st)

Cons

Average production in 2018
2-year starter, transferred from OSU

Grade: A

Risk

Pros

Franchise QB potential is evident
Top-tier accuracy and anticipation
Calm, confident under pressure (80.5 PFF pressured grade)
Delivers when it matters most
Gaudy numbers in CFB’s toughest conference (SEC)
A true “gamer” mentality — cerebral in big moments
Terrific pocket awareness, instincts, and football IQ
Impressive improvement in College
Football family (brothers played at Nebraska, father coached for 35+ years)

Cons

Extremely talented supporting cast
Only 1 year of high-quality play
Will be 24 years old in December
Small hands could lead to fumbling/turnover issues

Grade: A-

Overall

Despite being named Ohio’s Mr. Football in High School, Joe Burrow was unable to win the starting job from Dwayne Haskins at Ohio State and promptly transferred to Ed Orgeron’s LSU Tigers. After a mediocre 2018, he wasn’t expected to go much higher than the 3rd round of this year’s draft… Then came the Texas game, where he put the entire country on notice. After torching 5 of the next 6 opponents, Burrow cemented his legacy in CFB with a monumental shootout victory over Alabama, the Tigers’ 1st since 2011.

Once Playoff time rolled around, Burrow looked like he was playing against a bunch of inferior squads. After ravaging a potential CFP team in the SEC Championship (Georgia), not only did he absolutely decimate a talented Oklahoma defense, Burrow tore up Brent Venables’ vaunted Clemson unit as well en route to his National Championship (1,305 yards, 16 pass TDs, 69% comp, 2 rush TDs during the 3 most important games).

While his 2019 will go down as one of the greatest seasons in CFB history, it’s reasonable to question his mediocrity the year before. He didn’t get to Baton Rouge until the summer, meaning there still wasn’t much chemistry with his receivers yet at the start of the season. Adding fuel to the fire, the Tigers used 7 different starting OL combinations, so he was never able to get comfortable in the pocket or maintain a solid rhythm. His receivers returned (plus one Ja’Marr Chase), the OL gelled together, the playbook was opened up for him, and the results were astounding.

Pro Comp: QB Deshaun Watson (Houston Texans)

Projected Round: Top-2 pick

Prime Destinations: CIN, MIA, LAC

OVERALL Grade: A