Where did Jordan Love go to college? When was the Packers’ quarterback drafted?

In professional football, narratives of triumph often stem from hardship, and the story of Jordan Love is no exception. The Green Bay Packers quarterback didn’t emerge as a varsity starting quarterback until midway through his junior year, and his journey from a two-star recruit with a lone FBS offer to a playoff contender is nothing short of remarkable.

Hailing from Bakersfield, California, Love’s early years were marked by personal tragedy. Born to his father, Orbin, a former high school quarterback and police officer, Jordan faced the devastating loss of his father at the tender age of 14. Orbin’s unexpected passing cast a shadow over Love’s world, but it also ignited a flame within him to honor his father’s vision of him becoming an NFL quarterback.

Despite his initial reluctance and the challenges of being undersized at 5′6″ and 130 pounds, Love heeded his mother’s advice to give football one more year after contemplating quitting. This decision became a turning point, as he secured the starting quarterback position on the junior varsity team during his sophomore year.

Love’s senior season truly saw his potential, but recruiting-wise, he was in a challenging spot with only one FBS offer from Utah State. Undeterred, he embraced the opportunity and arrived on Utah State’s campus at just 17 years old. A redshirt year saw Love undergo a physical transformation, adding muscle to his frame and reshaping his diet.

His sophomore season marked a significant leap, with Love breaking school records for passing yards and touchdowns. The team’s 11-2 record underscored his impact, setting the stage for Love’s projection as a first-round pick in the NFL draft.

When was the Packers’ quarterback drafted?

However, Love faced misfortune again in his junior year as head coach Matt Wells departed for Texas Tech. The team’s performance dipped, and Love struggled with interceptions. Despite the setbacks, he declared for the 2020 NFL draft, where the Green Bay Packers traded up to select him 26th overall.

Love’s rookie season saw him as a third-string quarterback, but circumstances changed when Aaron Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 in his second year, thrusting Love into his first NFL start. The initial outing received mixed reviews, but his second momentous appearance against the Eagles really showed his potential, sparking optimism among fans.

As Rodgers contemplated retirement and eventually secured a trade to the Jets, Love faced immense pressure entering his third season. Taking over as the Packers’ starting quarterback, Love led the team to a Week 1 victory against the Bears but encountered challenges in subsequent games.

A pivotal Thanksgiving game against the Lions became Love’s true breakout, confirming his status around the league with an impressive performance.

Facing the team where he made his NFL debut, the Kansas City Chiefs, Love flipped the script. He completed 69% of his passes for three touchdowns and no turnovers, securing a critical victory that propelled the Packers into playoff contention. Now, after blitzing the Cowboys (again) in the Wild Card round, Love will have the chance to play against the best young quarterback of the league at the moment, Brook Purdy, in the Divisional round.

Even before the game between the Packers and the 49ers, and without knowing the ending result, Jordan Love has not only proven his worth on the field but also affirmed the belief that his father held all along—his destiny was to be an NFL quarterback.