UCLA QB Josh Rosen: I’m not Manziel or Manning

UCLA sophomore quarterback Josh Rosen has been likened to various types of NFL quarterbacks, but Rosen would prefer to create his own legacy rather than follow someone else’s template.

Rosen, 19, won 2015 Pac-12 offensive freshman of the year and is the favorite to be picked first in the 2018 NFL draft. His quarterbacking prowess has drawn some comparisons to future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, but a few questionable social media decisions have led others to compare him with troubled quarterback Johnny Manziel.

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The contrast in character between the two NFL quarterbacks has prompted UCLA coach Jim Mora Jr. to ask Rosen to think about which quarterback he wants to be. In an exclusive interview with SI’s Pete Thamel, Rosen divulged his choice: Neither.

“I’m not going to f------ get in trouble for drugs or anything like that, but I don’t want to be this crystal clean guy with perfect responses,” Rosen said. “I’m not going to pretend to be 50. I just want to be happy and enjoy the experiences I have and take advantage of every opportunity I’ve been given.”

Read Thamel’s full story on the boisterous quarterback in this week’s issue of Sports Illustrated.

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