Ask Farrell: Why wasn't Jared Goff ranked higher as a recruit?
Jared Goff has certainly outplayed his ranking as the former four-star quarterback set all kinds of impressive records during three seasons at Cal, became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and has now led the Los Angeles Rams to the Super Bowl that will be played Sunday.
In high school, the Kentfield (Calif.) Marin Catholic pro-style quarterback was ranked eighth at the position behind Max Browne, Christian Hackenberg, Hayden Rettig, Shane Morris, Jeremy Johnson, Ryan Burns and Cody Thomas. None of those seven quarterbacks are even playing in the NFL let alone leading their team to the biggest game in all of sports.
After throwing for more than 7,600 yards with 93 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in three seasons in high school, Goff chose Cal over only three other offers - Boise State, Fresno State and Washington State. He had family connections in Berkeley, the program had produced quarterbacks and it seemed like the best option for him when he committed early.
At Cal, Goff was a record-setting machine, according to Wikipedia he holds 26 school records, as he went off for 12,195 passing yards with 96 touchdown passes and 30 picks. The Rams moved up in the draft to select Goff first overall and after starting late in his rookie season under coach Jeff Fisher, Los Angeles then hired Sean McVay and Goff’s career has taken off to new heights from there.
In 2017, Goff threw 29 touchdowns and seven picks. So far this season, the former four-star quarterback has thrown for 33 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Goff was No. 140 overall in the 2013 class which was led by Robert Nkemdiche, Vernon Hargreaves III, Jaylon Smith, Carl Lawson and Laquon Treadwell at the top. Seven pro-style quarterbacks and four dual-threat quarterbacks - Troy Williams, Anu Solomon, Malik Zaire and Kenny Hill - were also ranked ahead of him.
Obviously, we got Goff’s ranking completely wrong. But how did it happen, where should he have been ranked nationally and does it speak more to not seeing Goff’s long-term potential or him just peaking late and really developing at Cal and under McVay’s coaching? We ask Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell.
FARRELL'S TAKE:
“Goff should have been ranked higher and I’m kicking myself we missed on him to an extent. I always liked his calm, cool demeanor and his confidence and he threw a nice ball. He was tall and very skinny coming out so it looked like he might get killed in college, but he showed his toughness and mental strength that first year at Cal. Sometimes you can’t tell what’s between a kid’s ears and how he will handle adversity and Goff is a great example of that. He had that 'it factor' but I didn’t see it. Having McVay helps but I think he was going to be special regardless.”
