UCLA’s Jim Mora doesn’t believe Josh Rosen will declare for 2018 NFL Draft

Josh Rosen has the potential to go in the top-10 picks, IF he declares

UCLA head coach Jim Mora isn’t ready to let his star quarterback Josh Rosen leave the Bruins, and he believes Rosen feels the same.

In an interview with Yahoo’s Pete Thamel, Mora said he isn’t fully convinced the rising junior will forgo his senior season in 2018.

If Mora’s comments are true it could shake up the entire 2018 NFL Draft board for quarterback-needy teams come next spring.

"“I want a disclaimer, I have an option to change my opinion,” Mora said. “But as we sit here right now, I can really honestly say I don’t think he’s going to leave.”"

Mora’s comments could boil down to “coach talk” or trying to stay focused on the task at hand, which in their eyes is winning a national championship. Whether or not a team coming off a 4-8 season can accomplish that is yet to be seen, but Mora certainly wants Rosen to be focusing on this season and not the pre-draft process.

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Rosen is one of several collegiate quarterbacks draft experts anticipate being available in 2018. He joins fellow quarterbacks Sam Darnold of USC, Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson of Louisville, Wyoming’s Josh Allen, Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield, and Washington State’s Luke Falk as potential first-round picks next year.

Looking at a potentially loaded 2018 class Rosen could opt to stay another year with the Bruins with the hopes of being the consensus number one overall pick in 2019. He’s also coming off season-ending shoulder surgery, which could hamper his stock if this season doesn’t evolve in his best interests.

His recent comments regarding school and football may also draw a negative perception while the quote is still fresh in people’s memories. Perhaps getting his diploma and waiting out the public outcry will help him as well.

Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Offensive firepower dominates early

Last season prior to the shoulder injury Rosen threw for nearly 2,000 yards with 10 touchdowns to five interceptions. His freshman season for the Bruins earned him high praise after completing 23 touchdown passes over 3,600 passing yards.