What They're Saying About Tulane's J.P. Losman
Sep 24, 2003 | Football
Bruce Feldman, ESPN.com college football writer (September 24, 2003):
"We're not predicting an upset here, but the game we think most NFL scouts may be tuned into this Saturday is Tulane against Texas. We've seen pretty much every big-time QB throw in person (short of Ben Roethlisberger and Andrew Walter) and none are more impressive than Green Wave QB J.P. Losman. The 6-3, 225-pound Losman has the body of a linebacker, a cannon for an arm and great wheels. He's also brash, loves the spotlight and, as he showed against TCU, tough as heck. His numbers weren't great last season, but, after seeing him this summer, we'd scream it from the mountain tops that he is legit. Of his 10 picks in 2002, six came after his receivers couldn't hang onto the ball, according to Tulane offensive coordinator Frank Scelfo. This season, Losman -- just as he predicted -- has been tearing it up. He's averaging 339 yards per game, completing 64 percent of his passes and has 15 TDs against just 3 INTs. Check him out, he's as good as he says he is."
Texas head coach Mack Brown to the San Antonio Express News (September 25, 2003):
"What the unnamed pro scouts tell me is he's the best prospect in the country. He scrambles well, has a quick release and seems more comfortable in the pocket. And he's much more accurate."
Gil Brandt, chief draft analyst for NFL.com to the Austin American-Statesman (September 25, 2003):
"He can make all the throws. He can throw a rope 30 or 35 yards down the field and is pretty elusive for a big guy."
Tulane head coach Chris Scelfo (September 23, 2003):
"He's really playing well; during times, as well as any quarterback I've ever been associated with. I'd like for him to be more consistent, as we all would, but he's taking care of the football, he's making really good decisions. We're going to go offensively as our quarterback goes, he's got to have a lot of help and he got that Saturday. We had two dropped balls, but he wasn't getting hit every play. When he has time to operate he can do it."
Texas linebacker Derrick Johnson to the Austin American-Statesman (September 23, 2003):
"He's off to a great start. We bottled him up last year and didn't allow him to get started. I hope we can get to him early and throw some different things at him."
Luke Winn on SI.com, listing Losman as one of five players on his "Heisman Watch" (September 21, 2003):
"In a nod to the recent success of BCS outsiders, we're making this an equal-opportunity list and giving Losman his due. Tabbed as a first-rounder by NFL scouts, the Green Wave signal-caller is ranked second in the nation in total offense -- and he's the only QB with more passing yards than Philip Rivers."
Mississippi State head coach Jackie Sherrill to the Starkville Daily News prior to his game with Tulane (September 11, 2003):
"What stands out about Tulane is their quarterback. J.P. Losman is very talented, accurate, and has a lot of speed. He's able to get himself out of trouble. Also, he's a very tough player."
Northwestern State head coach Scott Stoker to the Alexandria Town Talk prior to his game with Tulane (September 6, 2003):
"You can see why he's rated the No. 1 or No. 2 draftable quarterback. He can hurt you throwing the ball, but where he really scares you is with his legs. He's so athletic. He's going to make his plays. We're really just trying to contain him, don't make the game easy for him."
Chris Scelfo following the TCU game (September 2, 2003):
"I thought he got hit too much. He took 12 shots. That's way too many for a quarterback. He started off good, got kind of in a lull; had that mental error on the interception. Then he rallied back late in the third quarter and in the fourth quarter. That's what I have been talking about with him. He's a winner; the big thing with him is he's got to be consistent, because if he's consistent, he's good."
Mel Kiper, Jr., as he listed Losman as his 10th prospect in next year's draft (August 29, 2003):
"Losman is a pure passer who can thread the needle or feather the ball when he has to. He is also one of the toughest quarterbacks in the country, and he will hang in the pocket and take abuse in order to make throws. Losman has a passion for the game and studies endlessly, and he is an honors student in the classroom. With the skills and intangibles the NFL looks for, he has a chance to be a solid first-round draft pick.
Chris Scelfo when asked what Losman will mean to the team, August 26, 2003:
"I'll tell you what, you'll have more fun talking to him about him. You'll get a lot better answer when you ask him [laughing]. J.P. means a lot; I think he is one of the best quarterbacks, if not the best quarterback in the country. I say that with no reservations; I've had a background and a track record of having tremendous quarterbacks along the way. The one thing is he is a winner; he's a fierce competitor; he knows our offense. But J.P. and Mewelde [Moore] can not do it by themselves. There's 11 guys out there on the field, and that's only two of them and it's going to take everybody pulling together to get J.P. to execute our offense. We are only as good in our system as our quarterback plays offensively. He's got to play within himself and understand he's got some help around him; he's got to be able to use it."
