Long rumored to be heading back to Oregon for the 2019 season, Justin Herbert confirmed (via Twitter) he will do so on Wednesday.
Perhaps the top quarterback prospect who could have been part of April’s draft, Herbert will instead stay with the Ducks and then be part of the 2020 class. This further depletes the quarterback talent pool in the 2019 draft. Herbert almost certainly would have been a top-10 pick. He rated sixth overall on Mel Kiper Jr.’s big board.
NFL teams in need of a quarterback have scouted Herbert this season, the Broncos and Giants among them. The Dolphins, too, were high on the junior Ducks passer. Instead, Herbert will be part of what is, as of now viewed as a stronger quarterback crop in 2020. Georgia’s Jake Fromm and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa are eligible to enter that draft. Herbert’s decision could have key ramifications for teams this year.
The respective values of other passing prospects, such as Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins (who has yet to declare himself but is expected to do so after receiving a first-round grade) and Missouri’s Drew Lock, will be inflated because of Herbert’s choice. Although, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller categorizes West Virginia’s Will Grier and Duke junior Daniel Jones — who also has not declared yet, though he’s expected to do so — as the top non-Haskins passers who could be available (Twitter link).
Prospective free agent passers Teddy Bridgewater and Tyrod Taylor may be more popular commodities in March as a result of this as well. Joe Flacco is now going to be available via trade; perhaps the Ravens’ price will rise. Herbert not being available will take a key option off the board for teams lacking a long-term answer.
Herbert’s decision coincides with younger brother Patrick Herbert’s Oregon signing. The class of 2019 tight end will join the Ducks next season. This year, Justin Herbert has thrown for 2,985 yards, 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions. While his completion percentage dropped to 59.6 percent, down from 67.5 percent in 2017, the 20-year-old quarterback intrigued teams in a way the other 2019 QBs have yet to.
This story is beyond old news. He said MONTHS ago he was staying in school to play with his brother.
All I can say is all of those reports had to be rumors if he felt the need to post this on Twitter. Personally I think it’s a dumb move because what happens to his draft status if he takes a hardhead and end up tearing his knee. He is risking millions of dollars to go back for a senior year.
A hardhead sounds insane
Jaylon Smith agrees with you . Just not worth chance especially because he is a top stud pick anyway
Whyyyyyyy
I personally disagree with his decision, but at the end of the day it is his life and his choice. Haskins will be someone that Jacksonville reaches for early on in the draft. I personally think that Daniel Jones will have the best career of any QB drafted this year. Lock and Grier should also be 1st rounders it just depends on who needs a QB.
I think Ryan Finley (NC State) and Brett Rypien (Boise State) will have solid careers too.
Rypien is small and doesn’t have the arm for the NFL. I’d rather have Minshew over Rypien, at least he has leadership skills although I think his touch is better too
Maybe he just wants to have one college season throwing to his little brother? I mean, that does sound pretty cool, and would be a lasting memory for the both of them.
Not to mention some people value getting their degree after putting in the work for three years
I get what you’re saying, but the main purpose of getting a degree is getting a good job and getting paid.
It’s probably a good decision he needs Ali it’ll more development, I think that he could get drafted and sit for a year that would be better but I doubt he would get that opportunity so returning to school is a good idea I doubt he will fall out of the first round he had such great physical tools that I think no matter what he will get taken in the first round next year
If he suffers a torn ACL this season all of those people in support of him staying in school will say what a dumb move it was because he now just went from a first round pick to afifth round pick.
Jake Locker proved you could return for a mediocre Senior year and still be a 1st Round pick