Trent Dilfer talks Josh Rosen, NFL draft on Rich Eisen Show

Trent Dilfer was one of Josh Rosen‘s toughest critics early in the former UCLA quarterback’s career, but now Dilfer is signing Rosen’s praises.

On the Rich Eisen Show on Wednesday, Dilfer compared Rosen to some of the elite quarterbacks of this generation. The former-NFL-quarterback-turned-ESPN-analyst said Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers are “not always the best people to be around,” but “they demand the best from the people around them because they want to be great.”

“I think Josh has that in him,” Dilfer said.

Dilfer, who coached a 17-year-old Rosen at the Elite 11 in 2014, was tough on the former St. John Bosco recruit. He said Rosen was entitled and uncoachable when he came to the camp. But when Rosen served as a counselor this past summer, Dilfer was swayed by the UCLA junior’s humility to return and work with the next generation of prospects.

“He’s intellectual. He’s got conviction. He’s not going to be wishy-washy on stuff,” Dilfer said, “and he’s going to demand that his coaches give him the best stuff because he wants to be the best.”

Josh Rosen declares for NFL draft

A short three years after being hailed as the savior of UCLA football, quarterback Josh Rosen‘s UCLA career is done as the star junior declared for the NFL draft on Wednesday, forgoing his senior year with a chance to be one of the top picks this April.

As a junior, the former five-star prospect set UCLA’s single-season passing record with 3,756 yards, eclipsing Brett Hundley’s mark from 2012, despite missing almost three whole games due to two separate concussions. He did not play in what would be UCLA finale, as the medical staff held him out of the Bruins’ bowl game.

More on Rosen’s decision.

UCLA links: Josh Rosen on the clock

UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen (3) passes the ball against Hawaii during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. UCLA won 56-23. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Josh Rosen can’t put off his NFL decision much longer.

With UCLA’s season officially over, the star junior has until Jan. 15 to declare for the NFL draft. He’s projected to be a near lock to be a top pick and a contender for the No. 1 pick.

The UCLA medical staff kept Rosen out of Tuesday’s bowl game due to concern about another concussion after he suffered two within four weeks earlier this season. When asked after the loss to Kansas State if Rosen was NFL-ready or could benefit from an extra year in college, interim head coach Jedd Fisch agreed with both statements.

“I think that he has the ability to go out there and throw any ball to anybody he wants,” the offensive coordinator said. “He’s got incredible accuracy. He’s incredibly talented and I’m sure if he wants to move on, he’s able to do that. If he wants to come back, he’ll help this team.”

More on Rosen and what the Bruins have at quarterback if he does leave

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