Josh Rosen

Josh Rosen didn't have the ideal conditions for throwing a football at his UCLA Pro Day on Thursday, but that didn't stop him from putting on a show and completing 90 percent of his pass attempts while throwing from all different platforms.

It was exceptionally windy on Thursday during UCLA's pro day. The UCLA quarterback who is viewed as one of the top prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft class was actually hoping to have even worse throwing conditions on Thursday. Rosen's competitive nature took over and he was hoping to show nearly 100 NFL scouts and decision-makers in attendance that he can throw in even the worst of weather. Of course, hoping for those conditions is more of a prayer in Southern California.

"If you throw a tight spiral, it doesn't matter," Rosen said of the weather conditions, via the Los Angeles Times. "But ball's ball. I'm not going to change the pro day and say, 'Hey, can we hang out for the wind a little bit?' But it was fun. Threw it pretty well." Throwing the football with success in windy conditions is an important trait for any quarterback that could be playing in Buffalo or East Rutherford. The Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, and New York Jets have all been connected to Rosen in the pre-draft process.

"Talked w/ @josh3rosen this morning. Told me he wished it had rained during his @UCLAFootball pro day so he could show teams he could wing it in all elements," Gil Brandt Tweeted on Friday. "He did have plenty of wind to contend with and looked terrific both rolling out and in pocket. Best passer in this draft."

On one play, Rosen ripped a deep post to UCLA wide receiver Jordan Lasley. In the video, you can hear the wind pick up after the ball is released, but that didn't stop Rosen's pass from traveling about 65-70 yards through the air before reaching Lasley for the completion.

Josh Rosen to Jordan Lasley on deep post. #UCLA Pro Day pic.twitter.com/LYFUmo6bfY — Bruin Report Online (@BruinReport) March 15, 2018

ESPN's NFL analyst and former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was most impressed with Rosen's ability to make throws on the run, specifically while rolling against the grain to his left.

"I thought he threw on the run a lot more than I was expecting him to," Hasselbeck said, via the Los Angeles Times. "He was moving in the pocket a lot more. He was very accurate on the run to the left, that was something that stuck out to me. It was almost like he made a concerted effort to be moving in the pocket. 'Hey, I believe in my mechanics, I believe in my base. I'm not going to just drop back straight and throw the ball.'" Several key traits set Rosen apart from the rest of the quarterback class in the eyes of several analysts. Those traits are his footwork, throwing mechanics, release, and his ability to process offensive plays both before and after the snap. The latter was not on display at his Pro Day, but the other traits showed up throughout his scripted workout. Take a look for yourself -- from the drop, to the footwork before the throw, to the release and the follow through: Josh Rosen to Mossi Johnson. #UCLA Pro Day pic.twitter.com/4fGNIxg2Gi — Bruin Report Online (@BruinReport) March 15, 2018

Although Rosen wasn't able to show off his advanced mental processing of the Xs and Os of football at his Pro Day, he talked in depth about why this aspect of playing the quarterback position is so important to him during his post-Pro Day interview. "Xs and Os come easy but I've worked my ass off to know more than everybody else because that's where my edge is on the field and I'm going to take full advantage of it. Peyton (Manning) and some of those guys who take pride have had great careers," Rosen said after his Pro Day. Throw on Rosen's game tape at UCLA and you'll see him constantly making changes at the line of scrimmage, often shifting his offensive line's protection on any given play. Rosen first started diving into the Xs and Os of football after learning from his high school coach. Then, his passion took over. "He's a center so he taught me the game from inside out," Rosen said of learning football from his high school coach. "I firmly believe that's how it should be played. Can't throw the ball on your back and a lot of that is on me." Brandt, the former 30-ear VP of Player Personnel for the Dallas Cowboys, can't understand why the negative narrative on Rosen has picked up some steam in the pre-draft process.

"I've gotten to know Josh a little bit, spending time with him at the Super Bowl, combine and on the phone," Brandt Tweeted. Some I talked to said he was arrogant w/out much of a filter. I couldn't disagree more. He comes across natural and polite. Teams should have no issues with him."

Brandt isn't the only one who can't understand where this narrative started and how it took off. Rosen's former teammates, who now have nothing to gain by strongly defending him, have vehemently denied that they disliked playing with him.

"I don't know where it comes from. It drives me insane," UCLA center Scott Quessenberry said at the NFL Combine about the narrative. "I have a really good relationship with Josh and he'll tell you the same thing about me. We talk. For him to get the rap that he gets, I think it's BS because of the type of guy he is and the type of stand-up human being that he is. The type of pro that he's going to be.

"He's a great dude, I love hanging around him and being with him and whoever gets him is extremely lucky. They're getting a once-in-a-millennium talent in my opinion."

UCLA left tackle Kolton Miller also defended Rosen as a leader both on and off the field.

“I disagree with the idea that Josh’s teammates dislike him,” Miller said at The Combine. “Josh came in as the no.1 high school guy, a little cocky, you heard off-campus stuff about him, but over the years he really matured. He tries to have a good mindset, he’s a really good leader. I have really nothing negative to say about him.

“On the field Josh always took care of business, but off the field he was one of our hardest workers,” Miller said. “He’s a really smart guy, really well-respected there.”

Quessenberry added that he truly believes Rosen loves the game of football and it shows in his late-night film study.

"I would say yes," Quessenberry said when asked at The Combine if Rosen loves the game. "He's always up late studying film. Sometimes he doesn't watch pro football, but a lot of guys don't. He does watch it more than a lot of people do, but that's another question that's arisen and I don't understand where that comes from either. He loves the game. He loves learning about the game, and learning all the ways he can get better."