Josh Rosen could be one of the top quarterbacks looked at in the 2018 NFL Draft, but Jim Mora doesn’t think he’ll even be there, period
The UCLA Bruins are getting set to open the 2017 college football season with a huge opening game against the Texas A&M Aggies, and they hope they’re also getting prepared for a huge season out of junior quarterback Josh Rosen, who is returning from an injury suffered last season. Of course, should Rosen have a monster season during a full campaign under center for the Bruins, the former highly-touted recruit will have everyone speculating whether or not he will depart Los Angeles for the 2018 NFL Draft.
Before the season even gets underway, many are of the belief that this will be the last season for Rosen with UCLA. However, his head coach, Jim Mora, is not in that grouping.
During an interview with Pete Thamel and Yahoo Sports, Mora revealed that he believes his quarterback will be returning for one more season with the Bruins. Well, at least he thinks that for now.
“I want a disclaimer, I have an option to change my opinion,” Mora said. “But as we sit here right now, I can really honestly say I don’t think he’s going to leave.”
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Mora was smart to use that phrase, “But as we sit here right now…” because a lot can change. Should Rosen take the field this season, stay healthy and light the world on fire like he has the potential to do, then there probably won’t be any denying that he’ll be taking off for the greener pastures of the NFL come next spring. Right now, though, especially coming off the injury suffered last season, it’s safe to say it’s not a foregone conclusion Rosen leaves following the season.
In six games last year, Rosen threw for 1,915 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions before suffering a shoulder injury in a loss to Arizona State that shortened his sophomore campaign. During his freshman season in 2015, Rosen showed everyone what he’s capable of, tossing for 3,669 yards with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.