Jake

Haener

Haener, a fourth-round rookie, struggled in the preseason, throwing for 395 yards, one score, and three interceptions. Though he wasn’t slated to see any action at any point in his rookie season, let alone the first six games, this is still a bad look for the young quarterback. He is eligible to return in Week 7 against the Jaguars.

Haener will be the heir apparent in New Orleans behind Derek Carr, but with an established vet in Jameis Winston backing Carr up, Haener would have to really impress to win the backup job in his first season. It’s not a complete lock that he’ll make the roster, but Haener likely has an inside track on a spot after being picked in the fourth round. He stands a better chance at making 2024 starts than 2023 starts.

This could spell trouble for Jameis Winston’s roster spot behind Derek Carr, though it is also possible the Saints plan to carry three quarterbacks. One of the older rookies in this class, Haener (6’0/207) was a 2017 three-star recruit who will be 24 at the start of the 2023 campaign. Originally recruited by Washington, Haener transferred to Fresno State after 2019 and didn’t become a starter until 2020. As a three-year starter with the Bulldogs, Haener compiled 67 touchdowns to 17 interceptions and excelled at progressing through his reads. Haener nearly transferred from Fresno State after 2021 but returned to school to lead the Bulldogs to a conference championship, despite battling through multiple injuries. His size and mobility will make it difficult for him to earn a backup role early on, but enough years in the same system could eventually pay off.

After flirting with returning to Washington this offseason, Haener (6'1/195) decided to head back to Fresno State and play for Jeff Tedford. For the Bulldogs, it’s a massive win. Haener was a star last year, leading the Bulldogs to a 10-3 record with over 4,000 yards and 33 touchdowns. He and Jalen Cropper are one of the best-returning duos in college football and will be primed to have an even better 2022 season.

Haener threw for 4,096 yards and a 33/9 TD/INT ratio last season over 13 starts. “Haener is a fearless risk-taker who has the confidence that he can fit a football through a coin slot when testing throwing windows,” Reid wrote. “His tape shows lots of high and low moments, but that comes from his playing style.” Listed at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, Haener will need to assuage teams’ concerns about his size.

Haener (6'1/195) entered the transfer portal back in November, only to announce his intent to return to the team a week later. In an exclusive article on PFF, Haener shares that Tedford’s return to the program played a role in his decision to return. Tedford coached Fresno State from 2017 to 2019 before stepping down due to health concerns. Haener transferred to Fresno State in 2019 but was unable to play under Tedford due to the NCAA’s transfer rules at the time. Haener received a call from Tedford during his week in the portal, a call that he said ultimately helped him make his decision on staying. Things have come full circle for the coach and player, who now look to join forces after a three-year delay.

After a tumultuous last three weeks, Haener (6'1/195) returned back to the Bulldogs and played well against UTEP. He found his favorite target Jalen Cropper nine times in the game, but it was backup RB Jordan Mims who stole the show, including catching Haener’s lone touchdown pass for 22 yards. Haener finished off a fine season for the Bulldogs, throwing for 4,096 yards, 33 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. If Cropper also returns, the Bulldogs will be a force next season in the Mountain West.

Haener (6'1/195) has had quite the last few weeks. After entering the transfer portal on November 30th, Haener then withdrew from the transfer portal on December 8th, and went as far as to issue an apology video for entering the transfer portal in the first place. Interim head coach Lee Marks declined to name the team’s starting quarterback for Saturday’s bowl game against UTEP, but the Action Network’s Brett McMurphy tweeted hours before the game that Haener will play in today’s bowl game. This season, Haener has thrown for 3,810 yards, 32 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

After entering the portal a mere eight days ago, Haener (6'1/195) will no longer be transferring. The stars aligned really quickly linking Haener to his former head coach and new Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer. Haener did have a good relationship with new head coach Jeff Tedford, who recruited him to Fresno State during his first stint which ran 2017-2019. There is still the possibility that Haener will enter the NFL Draft, as the quarterback class is looking thinner by the day. He will have until January 17th to make a decision on next season.

This came as quite a shock with Haener (6'1/195) seeming primed for all-star game invites and the NFL Draft, but it also makes sense. Haener had a fantastic season for the Bulldogs, leading them to a 9-3 record and top-ten in the nation in both passing yards (3,810) and touchdowns (32). His head coach Kalen DeBoer just left for Washington and the Huskies don’t have an established starter going into the 2022 season. It appears that Haener will follow his head coach to Washington, as he was once a Huskies commit in the 2017 recruiting class. His 24/7 sports player profile has already been updated to reflect the transfer.