Here is what Georgia’s former quarterback had to say on what his strengths are, his hand size, deciding to leave Georgia football, and who he patterns his game after at the NFL Combine.
It is the NFL draft season again. As usual, Georgia football has some big-time names at the annual Combine in Indianapolis. However, none as large as Jake Fromm.
The now former Georgia Bulldog started 42 of the 43 games he played in. Fromm passed for 8,236 yards in his three seasons with 78 touchdowns to just 18 interceptions. With Fromm starting, Georgia won three-straight SEC East Championships.
All participants at the combine are given an interview to begin the week. Its their chance to make a first impression with personnel from NFL teams. Here are some excerpts from Fromm’s interview.
When asked if he has a favorite pass or quick interaction:
"I love throwing fades balls and love throwing out cuts. So those are probably two of my favorites."
When asked if there was any quarterback he models his game after:
"I would love to try to immulate my game the best way possible after Drew Brees. The way he approaches the game, the way he works, the way he throws. Hopefully I can be as close to him as possible"
When asked about the decision-making process to leave Georgia and how many people were involved:
"That was a tough one for me. One that was really tough. I’ve never prayed about any decision more than that decision. For me, I did what we would call a Proverbs Challenge. I really spoke to friends, family, mentors, people who I really respected their opinion on. I really thought it was in my heart to come here (The Combine), do this, to want to be a professional. As a dream of mine since I was a kid. Now I’m here trying to make dreams come true and give the best I can to any organization who I get blessed enough to be a part of."
When asked about his control at the line of scrimmage:
"I would say I probably had as much or more than any college quarterback as far as what I could do at the line of scrimmage. The coaches really trusted me a lot and I could change a run to a pass, pass to a run, this play to that, and I was really grateful for the kind of power they gave me with the offense, it was awesome. I think it was a great learning curve for me that’s really going to prepare me for this next level in what I can do and how to communicate."
When asked if there was anything he is looking to prove athletically:
"For me it’s about being the best me I can be. I’m not the tallest and not the fastest. I know I’m not going to go out and run any 4.2s. For me really just try to hone in and give the best I can, you know. I want to be as quick as possible and I want to throw the ball around as good as I can."
When asked about his hand size:
"*laughs* You know its an eighth of an inch away from being the desired nine inches, no big deal. It’s the same hands that went to three SEC Championships, Rose Bowl, National Championship, and some Sugar Bowls. So, I think its played plenty of football and done well enough so far."
When asked about his arm strength:
"I think I have the arm strength and ability to make every single throw I need to in the professional football league. So, I’m not going to go out and try to prove anything. I’m going to go out there and I’m going to be me and throw the ball around the best I can."
When asked about what adjustments he needs to make:
"It’s definitely been a coaching point and something we have been working on throughout this process is my feet. I didn’t think my feet were as clean as they needed to be this past football season and that is something we have really been hammering throughout this process. So for me I’m trying to get my feet better and get them as good as they can be because I think wherever my feet are and however they’re doing is really going to take care of the rest of whatever is going on. I think it starts from the bottom up and really trying to take care of those."
When you watch Fromm you can really tell that he has molded his game after Drew Brees. The two quarterbacks have very similar builds and both have quite high football IQs. They both rely on their smarts and abilities to read defenses more than physical gifts. I believe Brees would be the perfect mentor for him and New Orleans would be a perfect fit.
Even though it is more likely that Fromm goes to another team I believe being around Brees would do wonders for him. They are not just alike on the football field, but off it as well. So, having a mentor like that around Fromm would be the best situation for him coming into his professional career.