Why this ESPN commentator believes Fresno State’s Jake Haener could be an NFL starter

Could Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener be a starter in the NFL?

ESPN’s Greg McElroy, a former NFL quarterback, believes so.

“I honestly genuinely believe he’s going to be a starter in the NFL,” McElroy said on the broadcast of Saturday’s LA Bowl between Fresno State and Washington State. “I really believe that.

“Now, it’s going to take a little time. He reminds of Taylor Heinicke of the Washington Commanders, A guy who hung around in the league, who was a backup for a bit and finally got his chance. The way you see him captivate the locker room and the sense of belief when he’s under center, there’s a lot of similarities to him and Jake Haener that can translate into a franchise guy.”

It’s not known where Haener could go in the NFL draft, but he’s provided a spark for the Bulldogs since he arrived at Fresno State in 2019.

On Dec. 3, he led the Bulldogs to a 28-16 victory over Boise State in the Mountain West championship and followed up with a 29-6 victory over Washington State at the LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium.

Haener completed 16 of 24 for 233 yards and a touchdown.

Next up for Haener is the Senior Bowl on Feb. 4.

McElroy was asked by fellow sportscaster Joe Tessitore about how Haener projects at the next level.

“He’s going to get knocked because he doesn’t have traditional length and doesn’t have a massive arm, but if you watch him, he’s a gamer,” he said during the Bulldogs and Washington State LA Bowl game at SoFi Stadium. “He’s going to the Senior Bowl and he’s going to be next to some of those guys who might go ahead of him and I bet you from a production standpoint, there won’t be many that won’t do it better than him.

“Plus you measure up all the different aspects of playing quarterback at a high level and his toughness, he’s got it all.”