Vols' Jauan Jennings was higher-rated QB recruit than Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy
Patrick Mahomes and Brock Purdy, who will start at quarterback for the Chiefs and 49ers in the Super Bowl, had two of the best seasons in the NFL in 2023. However, there's a former Vols receiver who was a higher-rated quarterback recruit out of high school than both Mahomes and Purdy.
49ers receiver Jauan Jennings, a third-year NFL veteran, was actually recruited by Tennessee as a quarterback before transitioning to receiver before his freshman season. The former seventh-round pick was a highly touted dual-threat quarterback unlike Mahomes and Purdy, who were three-stars who emerged as college standouts.
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The well-documented Mahomes was selected 10th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft after leading the country in passing yards in 2016 at Texas Tech. Purdy, a fellow Big 12 alum, started four seasons at Iowa State before being picked with the final selection of the 2022 NFL Draft as Mr. Irrelevant.
Jennings hasn't had nearly the same level of success as the two Super Bowl quarterbacks, however, at one point was tabbed to be a true difference maker at quarterback. Thankfully for Mahomes and Purdy, recruiting stars don't matter after becoming established NFL quarterbacks.
Here's a look back at the highest-rated quarterback recruits among Super Bowl participants:
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Jauan Jennings' 247 rating higher than Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy
Jennings, the 49ers' main slot receiver, was a four-star recruit ranked the No. 165 player and No. 6 dual-threat quarterback in the 2016 recruiting class, according to 247Sports' Composite rankings.
Meanwhile, Mahomes, the two-time Super Bowl winner and two-time MVP, was a three-star recruit tabbed the nation's 389th-best recruit and No. 22 pro-style quarterback, and Purdy, a 2023 MVP finalist, was also a three-star recruit ranked the nation's No. 839 player and No. 36 pro-style quarterback.
Jennings held offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State and Penn State, while Mahomes held three offers, according to 247Sports, from Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Rice. Purdy, a Gilbert, Arizona, native, picked the Cyclones over other offers from Alabama, Boise State, Texas A&M, Boise State and UCF.
Jennings isn't the highest-ranked high school quarterback recruit in the Super Bowl, as 49ers backup Sam Darnold and Chiefs backup Blaine Gabbert were both rated higher than Jennings. However, it's interesting to note the former Vols receiver was in an upper echelon of prospective quarterbacks than two of the NFL's best in 2024.
The only other quarterback on either active roster for the Super Bowl is Brandon Allen, the 49ers' third-string quarterback who was a three-star recruit in the 2011 recruiting class. Allen played at Arkansas.
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Jauan Jennings college stats
Career: 146 receptions for 2,153 yards with 18 touchdowns
Patrick Mahomes college stats
Career: 857 of 1,349 passing (63.5%) for 11,252 yards with 93 touchdowns to 29 interceptions; 308 rushes for 845 yards with 22 touchdowns
Brock Purdy college stats
Career: 993 of 1,467 passing (67.7%) for 12,170 yards with 81 touchdowns to 33 interceptions; 365 carries for 1,177 yards with 19 touchdowns
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Jauan Jennings was higher-rated QB recruit than Mahomes, Purdy
