Utah State was the only FBS program to offer Love a scholarship despite his excellent play at Liberty High School in Bakersfield (2,148 yards, 24 passing touchdowns; 806 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns). He looked like a future NFL starter while earning second-team All-Mountain West honors for the Aggies in 2018. Love ranked eighth in the FBS with 32 touchdown passes in 13 starts (267 of 417, 64.0 completion percentage, school single-season record 3,567 yards, six interceptions). His statistical production declined in 2019, garnering just honorable mention All-MWC honors as he threw an FBS-high 17 interceptions on the year (293 of 473, 62.0 completion percentage, 3,402 yards, 20 touchdowns; 81 carries, 175 yards, 2.2 ypc). Love showed glimpses of his talent as a redshirt sophomore in 2017, starting six of 12 games played (129 of 235, 54.9 completion percentage, 1,631 yards, eight touchdowns, six interceptions). Love was cited for marijuana possession in December but the case was dismissed in January.
Challenging evaluation for quarterback-needy teams balancing traits and potential against disappointing 2019 tape. Staff turnover and new starters across the offense are partly to blame for his regression, but self-made flaws in process were also concerns. Love's accuracy took a step back, and his delayed reaction from "see it" to "throw it" when making reads is troubling. He has the arm to stick throws into tight windows but needs better eye discipline and anticipation to keep windows open. His size, mobility and arm talent combined with his 2018 flashes could be a winning hand that leads a team into the future or a siren's song of erratic play and unfulfilled potential.
- Tall in the pocket and smooth, natural thrower
- Keeps ball tucked and secure while scanning the field
- Tight spirals come from a variety of arm slots
- Offenses built upon intermediate and deep reads/throws
- Confident passer attacking between the hashes
- Makes athletic pocket exits when scrambling
- Good open-field vision and speed to move the sticks
- Arm strength to dime it into windows
- Drops deeps balls in with plenty of air and touch
- In 2018, trusted big receivers to make plays on 50/50s
- Arm talent and swagger to attack field side Cover 2 hole
- Has access to expedited, compact release when pressured
- Consistency and production took massive step backward in 2019
- Looping windup part of slower operation time
- Too much staring and telegraphing
- Six games with multiple interceptions, including three pick-sixes
- Below-average decision-making against zone looks
- Allowed coverage to swarm due to lack of anticipation
- Unusually spotty ball placement forced targets to work for catches
- Completed just 31.8 percent of his deep throws
- Doesn't slide to safer launch points enough
- Will void viable pockets at times
- Needs to use eyes to hold safeties longer
- Issues bringing in off-target snaps, leading to fumbles