A former Josh Heupel-coached quarterback is receiving some buzz about potentially challenging for a starting job in the NFL this summer.
Earlier this week, NFL Network insider Daniel Jeremiah said he believes that former Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Lock has a really good shot to beat out Daniel Jones for the New York Giants' starting quarterback job.
The Giants signed Lock, a second round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2019, earlier this offseason.
Lock played at Missouri from 2015 to 2018. In 2016 and 2017, Heupel was Lock's offensive coordinator. Lock had his best season at Missouri in 2017.
In 2021, when Heupel was hired to replace Jeremy Pruitt as the head coach of the Tennessee Vols, Lock was quick to credit his former offensive coordinator for his development as a man and as a quarterback.
“Coach Heupel played a huge role in my development both on and off the field,” said Lock. “His knowledge of the game helped me become the player I am today. He taught me principles that I still apply today in the NFL. He is competitive, driven and always looks out for his players. Tennessee players will thrive in the culture he creates.”
The idea of Lock starting for the Giants makes plenty of sense.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll seems to like some of the concepts of Heupel's unique offense. Daboll coached former UCF wide receiver Gabe Davis with the Buffalo Bills (Davis played under Heupel during his final two seasons at UCF) and he helped facilitate the trade to move up for Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt in the 2023 NFL Draft. Daboll is clearly comfortable with players from Heupel's system.
With Lock and Hyatt coming from similar offensive backgrounds in college, it could make for a dynamic combo in New York -- especially since Daboll is willing to use Hyatt in some of the same ways he was used at Tennessee.
Lock made two spot starts for the Seattle Seahawks last season, going 1-1 in those starts.
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