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Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is only a junior, but he's the odds-on favorite to be the first overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft and the Jacksonville Jaguars are in prime position to end up as owners of that pick. When Bridgewater takes the field for a game against Rutgers on Thursday night he'll draw the attention of at least 26 NFL scouts, representing at least 20 NFL teams, including a contingent of Jaguars reps that will feature general manager Dave Caldwell, according to a report.
Rick Bozich of WDRB in Louisville reports that the Jaguars have reserved three seats for Thursday's game, including one for Caldwell, the man in charge of the team's current rebuild.
Bridgewater, 20, has dominated the first five teams on the Louisville schedule, accumulating 1,562 yards passing, 16 touchdowns and just one interception, while completing 71.7 percent of his passes. A large increase from his 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions as a sophomore, the gaudy numbers have him in the middle of the race for the Heisman Trophy, although criticisms of his level of competition have been floated.
Regardless of competition though, Bridgewater's 6'3 frame and ability as a passer have shined through and made him the majority favorite to be the first pick, assuming he foregoes his senior season to enter the NFL Draft one year early, which seems a foregone conclusion.
Through five games in 2013, Jaguars quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne have posted a combined 55.5 passer rating with three touchdowns and nine interceptions.