UCLA Football: Josh Rosen 2.0 – Will The “Chosen One” Bounce Back?
UCLA Football quarterback Josh Rosen is healthy again and set to start for the Bruins in 2017. What can we expect to see from Rosen in the new season?
Around this same time next year, we will know which team would have selected Josh Rosen in the NFL Draft. But for now, the junior quarterback is getting ready to kick off the 2017-2018 season with the UCLA Football spring game, set to happen later today.
Josh Rosen’s career at UCLA started with much-deserved hype. He was a five-star rated quarterback from St. John Bosco, slated to start in a Power 5 Conference team as a true freshman. The fame was there for the taking.
And Rosen took it and ran with it.
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The young QB was poised in the pocket. His accuracy was impressive for a true freshman. And for the most part, his passes showed good judgment. It was clear UCLA Football had found its starting quarterback.
But with constant praise, Rosen’s confidence kept growing—some say, a little too much.
He began to make the news, but no longer because of his raw talent. Instead, the young Bruin was making headlines because of his statements. He made it well known how he felt about then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and college players’ amateur status. He also caused controversy after posting an Instagram picture of himself and a woman in a hot tub in his dorm room.
The Bruins’ quarterback had been given a platform as a result of his abilities, and he wasn’t afraid to use it. Even after being cautioned by his coach, Jim Mora, that he could end up with Johnny Manziel’s fate, Rosen didn’t shy away from expressing his opinions.
In his second season, Rosen would quickly realize that his platform was as good as his playing time, and without the latter, he couldn’t have the former. A rough hit during the Arizona State game would sideline Rosen for the rest of the season.
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As Rosen’s absence from the field grew longer, so did the headlines, mentions, and comments. Aside from the occasional mentions caused by the frustration of backup QB Mike Fafaul’s play, the focus was no longer on #3. Rosen was gone for the season, and with him, the spotlight that had shined so brightly.
He has been pretty quiet since. Perhaps Coach Mora got through to him. Perhaps Rosen realized his platform is worthless if he’s not in the pocket, scoring touchdowns often.
A new season is on the horizon—likely Rosen’s last with the Bruins. There should be no doubt that this will be his big showcase to NFL scouts. His every move will be scrutinized once again.
Rosen’s comeback to UCLA Football as the starting quarterback will show us a new Rosen. His poise will be the same, but he will likely show better judgment on and off the field. Now that every move he makes will affect his draft stock, Rosen will be less likely to be so loose with his demeanor.
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In the end, this will benefit both the player and the team. A football-focused Rosen is the only way UCLA Football will have the season fans have been waiting for, while the QB should be able to see his draft stock rise with every win.