I'm going to go against the grain here. Julian, like Manziel referenced above, is of a similar physical mold. But that also means his mobility doesn't have to be tuck and run like Johnny was. Preferably more so the classic 'run to throw'. Truth be told, he isn't big enough where he (likely) wants to consistently escape vertically into traffic. And he isn't gifted enough laterally to be RG3 or Lamar.
I'm fortunate to have access to the all-22 for the offense. When I chart the trends from the last 3 games of the season, the film is telling me there are two big components that need serious increased command.
- Eyes to safety play.
Not just having your eyes there, but understanding leverage, rotations and body language then processing all of that in real time.
- Throw timing.
JS can have a nasty habit at times of not throwing with timing and anticipation that I would expect from a player of his caliber. I don't want to say "questioning" what he's seeing. But there was some clear hesitation against Indiana on a number of snaps that cost him completions. (along with the damn ball tapping) This also ties into the first thing - understanding and processing rotations.
College Football defenses are winning right now. They're winning for two reasons. For the better part of 20 years, we've taught these young QB's pure progression while reducing the burden of educating them and advancing their understanding of coverage geometry. Defenses can get away with their rotations because they don't do, as the NFL says, "get eyes to safeties at this level". There's more movement not only on the backend, but the front as well. I've never seen more pre-snap stem & post snap movement along the Dline at the highest levels of college football than I have this past year.
Those two things are asking QB's and Offensive Lines to do one key thing - play smarter. To play as cerebral as you would play physical.
If Julian (and the OL) can speed up that thing between their ears, he won't have to use his legs anywhere near as wished. That's a last resort improvement and tends to come at the cost of passing efficiency. In 2026, I hope to see the Drew Brees comparison rightfully and deservedly used. Because right now it's just another white-boy cliche'.
