When Bobby Petrino drops a name like Lamar Jackson, people in the football world pay attention. So when the Arkansas offensive coordinator compared his quarterback, Taylen Green, to the former Heisman winner he once coached at Louisville, it wasn’t just a headline-grabber-it was a challenge.
A bold one. And now, with a Senior Bowl invite in hand, Green has a real shot to back up the hype.
Taylen Green’s Electric Start
Green didn’t waste time showing why Petrino might see a little No. 8 in him. In Arkansas’ season opener against Alabama A&M, Green tied a school record with six touchdown passes in a 52-7 rout.
But it wasn’t just the stat line-it was how he got there. Green looked in full command of the offense, spreading the ball around with poise and precision.
It was the kind of performance that turns potential into production and gives Razorbacks fans a reason to believe in Petrino’s return to Fayetteville.
Then came Week 2, and Green didn’t just double down-he detonated. In Arkansas’ first-ever matchup with in-state foe Arkansas State, Green accounted for five total touchdowns-four through the air, one with his legs-and rushed for a career-best 151 yards.
The Razorbacks racked up 630 yards of offense and averaged an eye-popping 11.1 yards per carry. That kind of offensive explosion doesn’t happen by accident.
Sure, the level of competition wasn’t elite. But when a quarterback puts up video-game numbers like that, you have to take notice. It speaks to elite athletic traits and a dual-threat skill set that’s tailor-made for today’s game.
Why the Lamar Jackson Talk Isn’t Just Noise
Let’s be clear: nobody’s saying Taylen Green is Lamar Jackson. But stylistically? You can see why Petrino went there.
Petrino knows exactly what elite quarterback talent looks like-he had a front-row seat for Jackson’s rise at Louisville. And in Green, he sees a similar mold: a freakish athlete with the speed to turn broken plays into touchdowns, the vision to exploit defenses in space, and the kind of raw explosiveness that forces defensive coordinators to lose sleep.
Where the comparison really starts to stick is in how both quarterbacks weaponize their legs without being one-dimensional. Green, like Jackson in college, doesn’t just run to run-he runs to punish. He’s a playmaker in the open field, and when defenses get out of position, he makes them pay.
But the real question-just like it was for Jackson-is about consistency as a passer. Green has shown he can make NFL-level throws, but his accuracy and decision-making still fluctuate.
That’s not unusual for a young quarterback with elite athletic tools. The key now is showing growth, especially in high-pressure, pro-style environments.
Green Isn’t Dodging the Spotlight-He’s Embracing It
What’s refreshing is that Green isn’t ducking the comparisons. He’s leaning into them.
He studies Lamar’s film. Not to mimic, but to learn.
And when you watch Green play, you can see flashes-not just in the scrambling or the breakaway speed, but in the instincts, the feel for space, the ability to improvise and create when the play breaks down.
That kind of self-awareness-knowing who you are and who you want to become-is a big deal. Especially at the next level.
Senior Bowl: The Proving Ground
Now comes the moment that could define his draft stock: the Senior Bowl.
By accepting the invite, Green is stepping into a spotlight that separates prospects from pretenders. It’s not just about the game-it’s about the week of practices, the interviews, the chance to show NFL teams that you can lead, learn, and compete with the best seniors in the country.
And the timing? Couldn’t be better.
This year’s quarterback class is seen as relatively thin, which means there’s real opportunity for a player like Green to rise. If he puts together a strong week in Mobile-showing growth as a passer, poise under pressure, and that same dynamic athleticism-he could shoot up draft boards in a hurry.
Becoming the First Taylen Green
Let’s not get it twisted: the goal here isn’t to become the next Lamar Jackson. That’s a bar nobody should be expected to clear. The real challenge is for Taylen Green to become the first Taylen Green-a quarterback who blends rare athleticism with developing polish, who embraces the moment, and who proves he belongs on the biggest stage.
The Senior Bowl will offer that chance. A final audition, pads on, eyes watching. And if Green delivers, the comparison that once seemed bold might start to feel a little more like foresight.