Jake Haener, QB Fresno State: Offseason 2023 NFL Draft Profile
Haener was a three-star recruit from Monte Vista High School in Danville, Calif. in the class of 2017
Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener entered the transfer portal shortly after the 2021 season concluded, but he decided to rejoin the Bulldogs for his final college campaign. Haener was a revelation for Fresno State last year, leading the Bulldogs to a 10-3 record. His breakout performance has analysts speculating about his potential in the 2023 NFL Draft.
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Jake Haener, QB Fresno State: 2023 NFL Draft Profile
Classification: Redshirt senior quarterback from Danville, Calif.
Background: Haener was a three-star recruit from Monte Vista High School in Danville, Calif. in the class of 2017. He was the No. 624 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 576 for On3.com. Haener was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals. He was an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 77 grade out of 100. Haener finished his high school career with 597 completions on 977 attempts for 8,464 yards, 90 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions in 35 games. As a high school senior, he led Monte Vista to a 12-1 record and the CIF North Coast Section Division I championship by completing 170 of his 279 attempts for 2,976 yards, 37 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Haener completed 208 of 321 pass attempts as a junior for 3,005 yards, 35 touchdowns, and six interceptions. The previous year, he completed 219 of 377 attempts for 2,483 yards, 18 touchdowns, and ten interceptions. Haener transferred from Washington to Fresno State in 2019. He was a team captain for the Bulldogs in 2020 and 2021.
2021 Production: 13 games, 490 attempts, 329 completions, 4,096 yards, 33 touchdowns, 9 interceptions + 3 rushing touchdowns
2020 Production: 6 games, 232 attempts, 150 completions, 2,021 yards, 14 touchdowns, 5 interceptions + 3 rushing touchdowns
2019 Production: Sat out because of NCAA transfer rules
2018 Production: 4 games, 13 attempts, 9 completions, 107 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
2017 Production: (Redshirt Year)
Injuries & Off-Field: Suffered an ankle injury against Hawaii (2021) but didn’t miss a game, played through pain to beat UCLA (2021)
Awards: 2020 Honorable Mention All-Mountain West, 2020 Fall Academic All-Mountain West Team, 2021 Second-Team All-Mountain West
Pros: Quick release with a snappy whip-like throwing motion, varies release point, delivers short throws with defenders in his face, tough player, has enough mobility to navigate the pocket and extend plays, shows instances of touch at the short to intermediate levels, feet remain active in the pocket, looks comfortable and accurate throwing on the run, flashes of throwing with anticipation, sped up his processing and time to throw from 2020 to 2021, instances of working through full-field reads, flashes of driving the ball into small windows on intermediate routes
Cons: Not a significant threat to run, small frame will carry injury concerns, occasionally sails throws instead of driving them outside the numbers, throwing base is inconsistent, ball placement is hit or miss, sometimes late to identify the open receiver, multiple instances against UCLA where his throws missed open receivers by several yards, seven fumbles in 2021, downfield production and accuracy are uninspiring, lacks the arm talent and strength to consistently hit small widows and make accurate throws more than 20 yards downfield, footwork and mechanics become unstable on throws 40+ yards downfield
Overview: Haener is unofficially listed at 6'1", 210 lbs. The redshirt senior displayed his toughness last season, fighting through an injury to upset UCLA. Despite his small frame, Haener doesn’t fear contact. He stands in the pocket and delivers strikes with defenders in his face. The Washington transfer extends plays with his legs and is comfortable throwing on the run. Haener has mastered short and intermediate routes. His accuracy, anticipation, ball placement, and timing on those routes are impressive. Unfortunately, Haener lacks the arm talent to consistently threaten defenses vertically. There are instances where his accuracy and ability to drive intermediate passes outside the numbers waver. Haener’s footwork isn’t always consistent, especially on deep throws.
Overall, Haener is an exceptional quarterback on short to intermediate routes. Unfortunately, he lacks the physical traits NFL teams desire in Day 1 and Day 2 quarterbacks. Haener’s limitations and inconsistencies make him project as a mid-Day 3 selection.
Role & Scheme Fit: Pocket passer in a spread offensive scheme
Round Projection: Mid Fifth to Early Sixth
Player Comparison: N/A
Submitted: 08-14-22