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Jack Coan thought for sure he’d be wearing blue and gold this week and playing lacrosse for Notre Dame. But that idea was held more than seven years ago.
Back when he was a Sayville High School underclassman and wearing purple and gold.
So it’s no wonder he finds it “unbelievable” that he’s instead doing his darnedest to boost his blue book value as a professional quarterback at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
“It’s a dream come true … It’s pretty crazy to think about … I really thought I was going to be playing lacrosse and who knew if football was going to be an option,” Coan told a group of reporters during a press conference at pro football’s annual prospect showcase.
“I always had the dream of playing in the NFL though, and football has always been my first love, so I’m super thankful that it all worked out,” added Coan, who verbally committed in ninth grade to play lacrosse at Notre Dame, before switching later to play football at Wisconsin.
Coan spent four seasons, including one injured and out of the lineup, at Wisconsin before transferring to Notre Dame this past season to play for the Fighting Irish as a graduate student. He led Notre Dame to an 11-2 season and an appearance in the Fiesta Bowl, during which he threw for a Fiesta Bowl-record 509 yards and five touchdowns.
Coan on his NFL Scouting Combine bio is described as having enough talent to be a “Good backup with the potential to develop into starter.” Bleacher Report projects Coan being picked late in the sixth round of the draft. Pro Football Network foresees the Carolina Panthers grabbing Coan in the seventh round.
“I’m an extremely hard worker. I’m a guy that’s going to come in and work as hard as anyone. I say that confidently. I want to be a great teammate, first and foremost,” Coan said. “And I think probably what separates me is probably my intelligence. And that comes [from] a lot of my hard work and preparation.
“But I think at the next level … there’s a lot of stuff that goes into a playbook, as far as checks and kills and alerts and different things like that,” he continued. “The guys that work hard and truly process that are the ones that are successful and sustain their careers. And I think I’ll be able to do that.”
When asked which NFL quarterback he would most like to emulate, Coan gave a quick answer: “Tom Brady.”
“I mean, everyone knows his story and how crazy it was. Nobody knew he was going to be the best quarterback of all time,” Coan said. “I’m not saying that’s going to be me, but that was the guy I was trying to emulate and have as a role model.”
You can click here to watch a live stream of the NFL Scouting Combine.
Coan said that his transfer from Wisconsin to Notre Dame and having to learn a new offense in such a short time has prepared him for a transition to the NFL.
“I’ve had a practice run, as far as what it’s going to be like going from college to the NFL, just from my transfer from Wisconsin to Notre Dame,” he said. “Having to learn a whole new system [and] build new relationships with [teammates and coaches], I think has really prepared me — and just improved my knowledge of the game.”
There are seven rounds in the NFL Draft; 259 players are selected. The NFL invited 324 prospects to this year’s combine, which continues through Sunday.
Check out Coan’s combine interview below.
Top photo: Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
