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Kirk Herbstreit says Joe Burrow is an NFL QB playing in college
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Criticism for Joe Burrow has been the rarest thing in college football this season. The Ohio State backup-turned-LSU starter and Heisman Trophy winner as been as outstanding as anyone could’ve expected this season.
Not only has Burrow thrown for 5,208 yards and 55 touchdowns this season, he’s completing passes at over a 77 percent clip and has led LSU to a 14-0 mark with a chance to polish off the year undefeated with a win over Clemson in the national championship game. He was also the winner of this year’s Heisman Trophy by a wide margin.
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit hasn’t only seen Burrow live this season, he’s had the opportunity to watch film on the LSU quarterback in the days leading up to the national title bout in New Orleans on Jan. 13. On a recent episode of the College Football Podcast with Herbie and Pollack, the ESPN analyst raved about Burrow’s big year.
“It’s a historic year for Burrow, what he’s doing with Joe Brady’s system,” Herbstreit said. “It’s like when Tiger Woods is in his prime, you just run out of things to say about Tiger Woods — that’s where Joe Burrow is this year. Now, he’s got to finish it off and try to win this game, but I’ve been watching a ton of tape and looking at games, and Auburn’s the only team that came up with enough wrinkles to keep Joe Burrow where he had to think.
“To me, he [Burrow] is an NFL quarterback playing in college in this system,” Herbstreit said. “And he’s like an offensive coordinator as far as his mind and preparation. That’s why he’s able to play so freely, and he sees things as they’re happening. He doesn’t need to look all the time and say ‘Oh, what coverage is it coach?’ He sees things as they happen, and he’s got five receivers out.”
Burrow made the leap from a solid starting quarterback at LSU to a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft in the span of one season. His development in Joe Brady’s offense has been nothing short of incredible.
On Monday, we’ll see if Burrow can cap the magic season by hoisting up the College Football Playoff trophy.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB