Justin Herbert grew up in Eugene, Ore. He went to college down the street at the University of Oregon. He and his family still live there, a mile from Autzen Stadium, where he set passing records as the Ducks quarterback. And unless an N.F.L. team relocates before the start of this season, Herbert will have to flee the nest.

Just where he will end up is unclear. Joe Burrow, who led L.S.U. to a national title, is the most sought-after quarterback in the draft and the Cincinnati Bengals hold the first over all pick. But Herbert — who at 22 years old stands 6-foot-6, 237 pounds and is only the second Ducks quarterback to throw for over 10,000 yards and score more than 100 touchdowns — is arguably the second-best quarterback prospect in a year when a bevy of teams are looking for successors to their incumbent throwers.

No matter where Herbert plays next, it’s likely to be a lot bigger than Eugene, where the soft-spoken quarterback has blossomed in a college football cocoon. Even in this most unusual of N.F.L. off-seasons, when most prospects have been cut off from former college teammates, weight rooms and trainers since the coronavirus pandemic forced school closures, Herbert has been able to rely on his hometown to stay in shape and prepare for the next stage of his football career.