Analyst believes Fresno State QB could be the NFL's next Brock Purdy

April's NFL Draft will see several quarterbacks get the call early, but as this season has shown, a signal-caller doesn't have to go high in the draft to make an impact. 

With the NFL Draft only months away, Dan Brugler of The Athletic revealed his choice for the league's next Brock Purdy in Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener. 

At this week's Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Alabama, Haener impressed Brugler most among a quarterback group including Max Duggan, Malik Cunningham, Tyson Bagent, Clayton Tune, and Jaren Hall. 

"He was efficient, had a good zip on his passes, and several of his top throws ranked among the best all week," Brugler wrote. 

Bulger says Haener projects to be a backup capable of starting a game here and there at the NFL level. Though, ahead of this weekend's senior showcase, Bulger had Haener graded the highest in the quarterback group. 

Last season, Haener had an outstanding senior campaign for the Bulldogs. He helped Fresno State go 10-4 during the regular season, finishing second in the Mountain West Conference in completions (252), passing yards (2,896), and touchdowns (20). 

Haener led Fresno State to a 29-6 win over Washington State in the LA Bowl in December, completing 66.7 percent of his passes (24-of-36) for 280 yards and two touchdowns. 

After spending his freshman year at Washington, Haener transferred to Fresno State in 2020. Over three seasons with the Bulldogs, Haener posted a 68.2 completion percentage, throwing for 9,013 yards with 67 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.