Cover 3: Your Weekly Insight Delivered Every Thursday

Cover 3 is a digital newsletter that covers 3 different stories around football every week. From the locker room to the front office, we’ve got you covered.

Each Thursday, an email will land in your inbox from me, Jordan Palmer.

Our goal is not only to give you the stories you won’t get anywhere else - but another perspective that can help you build your relationship to the game, your family, and all the people you enjoy spending time with.

College Football Ain’t The NBA, The Rookie Jackpot Right In Front Of Our Eyes, And Will Levis Balling Out

In today’s email:

College Football ain’t quite the NBA. It takes more than just one talented dude behind the center to bring it all together.

It seems we hit the rookie jackpot this year. There’s a surge of 1st-year QBs getting a shot - and taking full advantage.

There’s a comprehensive playbook I get to share with the QBs I am fortunate enough to mentor each year. This weekend one guy gave a masterclass in precision and poise: Will Levis.

This Ain’t The NBA

If you’ve been tracking college football even remotely, Caleb Williams probably needs no introduction. The prodigious quarterback, whose raw talent and incredible acumen sets him leagues apart, has been the talk of the town.

The way he reads the game, those explosive plays, and that uncanny ability to keep cool under pressure - it's almost poetic to watch. If there was ever a player who embodied the spirit of leadership, excellence, and sheer grit, it's Williams.

Now, it's long been believed in the college football ecosystem that if your quarterback's skills are peerless, then success is just a matter of time. The blueprint seemed simple: A QB with speed, precision, tactical genius, and indomitable spirit meant that victory was yours.

The Emblem Of Hope

Last season, Williams was that emblem of hope for USC. He practically carried the team on his back. Even with a defense that sometimes faltered, Williams balled out, clinching a Heisman and nearly securing the Pac-12 championship, despite playing some games not being at his 100%.

The narrative seemed clear: With a quarterback of Williams's caliber, nothing is insurmountable. 

However, this year brought in new challenges. Tense moments against Arizona, a nearly missed chance against Cal, and surprise losses to teams like Notre Dame and Utah. For a quarterback of Williams’s stature - a Heisman holder with another within reach - these should've been hurdles easily cleared.

College Football Ain’t The Same

In the NBA, a superstar of immense prowess can nearly alter the course of games single-handedly. The NFL? Not so predictable. And college football, for a long time, seemed to mimic the NBA. A QB with a Heisman usually meant that the team was in the spotlight, irrespective of other dynamics.

It Takes More Than Just One Guy

Yet, USC's recent journey underscores a critical point: even a quarterback as exceptional as Caleb Williams is one cog in a vast machine. Think high school football – snag a five-star QB talent, and you're on a winning spree. But the college football playbook has shifted.

Schools like USC, in their drive to onboard premier QBs, top recruits, or transfer sensations, must remember the cardinal rule: a balanced team is the key. Every position, every player matters. Because even with a marvel like Caleb Williams, if the ensemble isn't in harmony, that coveted Pac-12 championship remains a dream. In the world of college football, it's a collective effort, always.

Listen To The QB Room Podcast

There's one room in every NFL building where it all happens: the quarterback room. It is the room where the most high-level football conversations happen. It is the room where General Managers stop by to get a pulse of the team. It is the room where conversations can range from game plans to life plans. It is The QB Room.

I partnered with Kyle Allen (QB for the Buffalo Bills) to give you access to this room few people have ever experienced.

Watch on Youtube

Listen on Apple

The Rookie Quarterback Surge

This year’s NFL rookie quarterback scene is different and it’s something special. In your typical season, first-rounders usually carry the team banner, with maybe one second or third-rounder sneaking into the spotlight.

Historically, about 65% of first-round QBs get a chance to start in their rookie season. But this year? It’s like we hit the rookie jackpot.

The Rookie Spread

Sure, we all nodded in agreement when the top two picks became day-one starters. And that fourth pick, Anthony Richardson? It was a given.

But it's the unexpected showstoppers who have turned heads: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round pick, is now the go-to guy, filling in for Deshaun Watson. And guess what? We’re not even close to done.

This week, fifth-rounders Clayton Tune and Jaren Hall are suiting up for the Cardinals. The Vikings' fourth-rounder, Anthony Aidan O'Connell, is getting the starting nod against the Falcons.

The shocker? Tyson Bhajan, an undrafted rookie free agent from a Division II school, leading the pack for the Chicago Bears.

The Big Takeaway

Although first-round QBs see the limelight with an average of 12 starts in their first season, this year has seen players from rounds four, five, and even undrafted rookies clocking in 6 to 8 starts.

The dynamics have shifted, proving that round numbers don't dictate game time. To the young guns aiming for those coveted draft spots - it's awesome, and I'm here for it.

But remember, once you’re in the league, it's not just about draft status. With the way this season’s going, if you’re on the roster, you better be ready to make an impact if you get the nod. The numbers are on your side, and it’s your moment to shine.

Will Levis Went Three for Three

Year after year, I get the privilege to mentor rising talents, from hungry college quarterbacks to seasoned NFL pros, all standing at the precipice of their career-defining first start. Some are fresh out of the draft, while others, despite years in the league, are just getting their shot. 

Each time these guys get their first start, I have the opportunity to have a conversation with them the week of the game. Last week? Will Levis. This week? It was Clayton Tune.

See The Whole Board

We’re talking about a mental movie. See the field, feel the turf beneath your cleats, hear the roaring crowd. But it’s not enough to just know the plays. I always tell these guys, immerse yourself. My special tip? Record your voice, detailing the play calls, and play it back over and over.

Let it sink in. It'll get you in sync, especially when you consider how plays are relayed in the NFL – through a headset. And in college? Those tricky hand signals. Training your brain to visualize ensures that when the game is live, you're in the zone.

Plan Versus Pressure (PVP)

A quarterback's tenacity is tested in those heart-stopping moments when the defense blitzes. You've got to have answers. Answers for when they're rushing hot, when you've got to shift blockers, or even when the play goes completely sideways.

Here's the trick: Devour that playbook. Dissect that Call Sheet. Identify potential pressure points. Know the ins and outs of every play, every possibility. Pre-game, make a ritual of mapping out those pressure scenarios. Always have a strategy, a backup, and a backup for the backup.

Take Your Shots

And make your shots. Words of wisdom from my high school coach, the legendary Bob Johnson, resonate here. Each game gifts you 3 to 5 golden opportunities – chances to alter its course.

Whether it's the spotlight catches, evading a tricky blitz, or a game-changing pass, you've got to be in the zone, ready to pounce. These moments define games. And the more you seize, the brighter your star shines.

Levis Put On A Masterclass

Analyzing Levis' showdown against the Atlanta Falcons gives a masterclass in all of the above. Four touchdowns, a clean slate with zero interceptions, and an impressive 238 yards.

His play was a lesson in precision. Visualization was clear in his moves, his PVP strategy was bulletproof, and every chance he got, he seized.

But beyond the stats, it was how he played. Taking the field, he looked beyond the immediate threats. He anticipated, adjusted, and acted. Players like DeAndre Hopkins became extensions of his vision, seamlessly connecting for plays down the field.

As a mentor, it fills me with immense pride to see such flawless execution, and with games of this caliber, Thursday Night Football promises to be an electrifying spectacle against the Steelers. 

As Levis illuminated, success on the field isn’t just about skill; it's about vision, meticulous planning, and the audacity to seize game-changing moments. As we gear up for more action, remember this - a lot of success comes down to what you can control. And a lot of that happens before the kickoff.