Jake Haener, Fresno State Football News: Draft Scout Player News

07/24/22 - QB Jake Haener, rSr/2023, Fresno State

Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener was selected as the preseason Mountain West offensive player of year on Thursday, Day Two of the conference media days. He was joined on the team by wideout Jalen Cropper, running back Jordan Mims, offensive tackle Dontae Bull and safety Evan Williams. The five Bulldogs selected are their most since 2014 and second most in their 12 years in the conference, behind seven in 2013 including quarterback Derek Carr and wideout Davante Adams. Therein is a challenge for the Bulldogs quarterback and an offense that returns 83% of its offensive production - Fresno State on Wednesday was picked to win the West Division in the conference, with 20 of 28 first-place votes.

"Jalen and I have already talked about it," Haener said. "We want to put up some similar stuff to what Derek and Davante did and just be the best version of ourselves." Carr in 2013 hit 68.7% of his passes for 5,083 yards with 50 touchdowns and only eight interceptions, and Adams caught 131 passes for 1,719 yards and 24 touchdowns. The 68.7%, 5,083 and 50 passing touchdowns by Carr were all school single-season records as were the 131 receptions, 1,719 yards and 24 touchdown receptions by Adams, and those 24 touchdown catches came at a time when the school career record was only 25; Henry Ellard (1979-82), then Charlies Jones (1992-95) and Bernard Berrian (1999-2003). But Haener and Cropper hinted at the best version of themselves and their upside at times last season, and have similarities to Carr and Adams with the Bulldogs' wideout moving outside after lining up in the slot on 94.5% of his snaps in 2021 when he caught 85 passes for 899 yards with 11 touchdowns. - Fresno Bee

rSr/2023