How immense intelligence separates Jake Fromm from other QB prospects in NFL Draft
The film room often becomes a sanctuary for Jake Fromm. A projection screen turns into a canvas and the handheld remote plays the function of a paintbrush. The crafting of his final product begins.
Fromm’s mind launches into a hyper-focused mode where improvement churns in his mind. He emulates his game after future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees, after all, and strives to perform to his standard while drowning out any semblance of noise. Fromm glosses over film broadly, but instead splices it down to the most specific of details.
They’re attributes that might seem microscopic and frivolous to an average quarterback, but ones where Fromm requires precision: The timing of a play-action pass, finding strength in the pocket with his eyes in order to improve quickness and the rate of speed in which he turns his head after a handoff to see the defense.
“It comes natural to him,” said Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, who gave Fromm the proverbial pilot’s license to the Bulldogs’ offense after the first game of the 2017 season. “He has a passion for the scheme card and a special awareness of the field.”
Fromm then makes a 120-yard patch of grass his stage. The results of numerous hours in the film room translated onto the football field, where the 6-foot-2 outdoor fanatic stepped away from the deer stand to delve into his beloved sport and lead the University of Georgia for three seasons. Fromm compiled more than 20 touchdowns in each season, and hit the 30 mark as a sophomore.
Beginning Thursday, Fromm anticipates his name being (virtually) called in the NFL Draft after forgoing his senior season in pursuit of his lifelong dream of playing on Sundays. Many wild guesses have been taken on Fromm’s destination, and a slew of mock drafts have the Middle Georgia native pegged anywhere from the first to third rounds.
“I’ve never prayed about a decision more,” Fromm said in February at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “It was in my heart to be a professional, and now I’m trying to make my dreams come true. I’ll give my best to any organization that I’m blessed to be part of.”
There are critiques of Fromm’s game that lead to a fluctuating draft stock. His arm strength serves as the biggest red flag, along with his mobility and the beloved — yet maybe inconsequential — debate of hand size as Fromm’s measured at 8⅞ inches. (Projected top pick Joe Burrow’s nine-inch hands were considered small.) Thirty-five yards against Kentucky and three interceptions against South Carolina in 2019 might validate those concerns.
There are qualities, however, that put Fromm atop the pack of prospects and could compensate for shortcomings. They’re the same ones that shaped his college career — intelligence, leadership and work ethic.
“He always finds ways to make himself better,” former Georgia wide receiver Tyler Simmons said. “I’ve never seen anybody more studious (in the film room) than him.”
As further evidenced by a 35 on the aptitude-measuring Wonderlic exam — one of the highest in this year’s QB draft class — Fromm’s football IQ serves as the biggest advantage in his quest toward being chosen in the draft and having a fruitful professional career. Fromm has known who to keep an eye on over the years, guys like Brees and Tom Brady, and tries to mimic those approaches and mannerisms that have led to Super Bowl rings and an iconic status.
He doesn’t care that he’s a young 21-year-old signal caller who doesn’t match the skill level of two quarterbacks who are 20 years older. Fromm’s going to try and ask himself, “Why am I doing that if they don’t?”
“He’s a genius in meetings,” said Von Lassiter, Fromm’s former high school coach at Houston County in Warner Robins who is now at Bleckley County. “He would see something one time and memorize it. He’d then apply it on the field. That can help him consume the level of information within an NFL offense and allow him to rise to the top.”
Fromm sees himself in a favorable spot, too, for NFL-level preparation given his leeway as offensive leader at Georgia. He had the liberty to make a change at any time and have full control over the line of scrimmage based on his reading of the opposing defense.
An unmatched level of power came as a result of trust. Smart saw Fromm’s promise and ability as early as the recruiting process. That led to the starting role in 2017 after being substituted in against Appalachian State, allowing a then-freshman to assume a wide-open playbook during a College Football Playoff run and Smart vouching for his quarterback whenever criticisms called for assurance.
And it took one ask for Smart to project whether Fromm’s set of talents can translate professionally. Smart let out a bit of a laugh and smiled.
“Absolutely, he can play on Sundays,” he said prior to Fromm’s junior season. “He’s a cerebral quarterback and who they look for to be able to change the protection, make decisions and distribute the ball.”
Fromm’s evaluation has been challenging as NFL teams don’t have a firm grasp of how arm strength and other on-field talents translate. But what franchises do see, however, is how Fromm’s detail-oriented approach can form a prospering leader.
Fromm awaits the arrival of a new canvas. He’s got his paintbrush in hand as another chapter awaits.
“I want to be a master of my craft,” Fromm said. “I have to strive to be somewhere (like Brees and Brady).”
NFL Draft Day 3 start time
How and when to watch on ABC, NFL Network and various ESPN channels
Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 25, Noon Eastern
This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 5:00 AM.