‘It’s a Whole Different Game’- Justin Herbert on the Biggest Difference Between the NCAA and the NFL

Justin Herbert has enjoyed a sensational start to life in the NFL. Throwing 31 touchdowns, the Los Angeles Chargers quarterback recently broke the record for most touchdowns by a QB in his rookie season. Eclipsing the previous best of 27 held by Cleveland Browns’ Baker Mayfield.

Though progressing from college football to the NFL is not an easy transition to make for many, Herbert seems to have mastered the craft. But contradictory to what many feel, Herbert too said that there was one aspect of the game that took some time to get used to.

Justin Herbert highlights the key differentiator

During a segment of the Dan Patrick Show, Herbert said that the biggest difference between the NCAA and the NFL boiled down to the speed at which the game was played.

“I think the speed of the game is probably the biggest difference. I kind of expected that coming into this level. But you really have to play through it to really understand how fast it really is,” he said.

Herbert said that some believed he could adapt to the league’s pace right from the get go. But the quarterback admitted that it was easier said than done.

“You know, I could hear ‘Oh, Justin’s gonna be so much faster this and that’. But when you step out there you realize it’s a lot faster.”

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Although he’s settled in steadily, Herbert said that it was something that took time. “A couple of times when I dropped back, I got too deep. I got some pass rushers that just flew around the head, knocking the ball out.

“You have to kind of go through that to really understand that it’s a whole different game,” he added.

Drafted in with the 6th overall pick in 2020 by the LA Chargers, Herbert has big shoes to fill. Taking over from legendary QB Phillip Rivers, Herbert is now the new face of the franchise.

And if early signs are anything to go by, the Chargers have found just the right man to take over the mantle.

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