Jordan Rodgers: Video Highlights from Former Vanderbilt QB

As the younger brother of elite NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Rodgers will have a tough time avoiding comparisons to his brother during the scouting process.

Jordan may not have the elite qualities of his brother, but he does bring a nice skill set to the NFL and should be able to find a role and latch on with a team late in the draft.

Rodgers does not have a strong arm or great vision, but he has good zip on short and intermediate passes. He is also a very capable scrambling quarterback and shows nice moves in the backfield to avoid sacks.

Rodgers showed great progress from his junior season to his senior year, which should help him become a late-round draft pick.

Here is a look at some highlights from the former Vanderbilt quarterback. 

4-Yard Run vs. Ole Miss, 2012

This highlight shows the benefit of having a quarterback that is able to scramble and maintain great pocket awareness.

Rodgers rolls out to his right while looking for his receiver up the right sideline. He quickly notices a defensive end pushing back into his position. At the last moment, he is able to shift to his left and avoid the sack.

At this point, the play has broken down. Rodgers realizes this and takes off toward the first-down marker immediately. He keeps his pad level low and plunges forward to give himself the best opportunity to gain positive yards to keep his drive alive.

27-Yard Pass vs. Ole Miss, 2012

With less than a minute to go in the game and Vanderbilt trailing by six points, Rodgers shows the moxie of a confident quarterback and orchestrates a game-winning touchdown pass.

His anticipation is great on this play. Watch his intended receiver begin his route up the sideline. The corner comes up to press the receiver but whiffs when he attempts to bump him off his route.

Rodgers notices this as it is happening and already launches the ball before his receiver completely gets past the defender. The pass is thrown and timed perfectly, and Vanderbilt goes on to win.

78-Yard Pass vs. South Carolina, 2012

One trait of Rodgers’ game that is spoken rather highly of is his accuracy on short and intermediate routes. This is a perfect example of exactly that.

His tight end runs a post toward the middle of the field and will squeeze in behind the linebackers and in front of the safety.

Rodgers sees a small window of opportunity here as his target crosses the middle of the field. He gets just enough air under the ball to get it over the head of the linebacker. Also, Rodgers has perfect velocity on the ball, which allows it to get to his target before the safety can get close enough to make contact.

An average throw here would have resulted in a minimal gain; however, Rodgers’ perfect throw resulted in a long touchdown pass.

64-Yard Pass vs. Wake Forest, 2012

Sometimes a highlight can be of a quarterback trusting his receivers and showing no fear. This is a prime example of Rodgers’ ability to trust his arm and his target.

Rodgers anticipates another throw because of his man-coverage read. He cuts the ball loose before his receiver is cleanly open.  The defensive back stays in nice position on the outside, but that gives Rodgers the middle of the field to work with.

With a tight end streaking up the seam, Rodgers needs to get the ball there with good timing to avoid a collision. His timing is perfect as the tight end draws defenders past the ball and his receiver cuts inside for the reception.

Highlight Reel vs. Kentucky, 2012

The very first play in this reel shows Rodgers’ accuracy and velocity on an intermediate route. He hits his receiver in stride, which allows him to continue up the sideline for a touchdown. This was also done on a fourth-down play, which shows that Rodgers keeps his cool under pressure.

Thirty-nine seconds into the video, Rodgers shows great anticipation and timing when he throws an out route to the left sideline before his receiver makes his break. Rodgers times it perfectly, and the receiver makes the catch without being contested by the cornerback.

At 1:10 into the video, Rodgers makes a nice, short completion to the sideline as he is rolling to his right. His great mobility not only allows him to escape pressure, but he can also throw accurately while on the move.

On the very next play, Rodgers finds his receiver streaking down the left side of the field with a defender in close pursuit. With great trajectory and velocity, Rodgers places the ball over the defender and into the waiting arms of his receiver without breaking stride.

Later in the video, Rodgers does commit two turnovers, which is one cause for his low draft stock. However, he has shown enough ability to find a role in the NFL.

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