Admittedly I’m writing this with 9 minutes left in the big game. The score is 37-6, Eagles. And don’t look now but the Chiefs just turned over the ball – yet again. So, I feel safe in saying even with Mahomes as the losing team’s quarterback, that this game is over. Cam Jurgens, the starting center for the Eagles, who took over the role with big shoes to fill for Jason Kelce, has his roots in Nebraska football as most fans will recall.
Jurgens time at Nebraska was interesting, as he was there during a tumultuous time, under Scott Frost. What some fans might not remember is that Jurgens was a highly recruited TE out of High School. In his freshman year, he sustained an injury after just one game and redshirted. Following that, Scott Frost wanted to move him to center due to his size and athleticism. Many fans may recall that growing pain of that.
Jurgens struggled, and cost Nebraska games at times, with his snap issues. He would often have bad snaps that would cause turnovers or at a minimum QB Adrian Martinez scrambling to recover the ball. However, his run block grades and pass block grades along with his size got him drafted in the second round of the NFL draft.
He initially sat behind Kelce, an all-pro center, who is one of the best centers to ever play the game. When he retired, Jurgens had to fill his shoes. And he did, helping take the Eagles not just to the biggest game in the world but winning it.
It’s always good to see these types of stories. I recall being frustrated on more than one occasion as Jurgens lobbed a snap over Martinez’s head. And now he is a super bowl champion. The stuff you love to see.
Go BIG RED. GO PRO RED!