If Josh Rosen's college career lasts for three years instead of four, it will come as a surprise to his head coach.
UCLA coach Jim Mora believes the star quarterback will return to play for the Bruins as a senior in 2018, he told Yahoo Sports.
"My firm belief is that he will not leave," Mora said Sunday. "I don't think he'll leave."
Mora, however, isn't dismissing the alternative as a possibility.
"I want a disclaimer, I have an option to change my opinion," Mora said. "But as we sit here right now, I can really honestly say I don't think he's going to leave."
Rosen will be a junior this fall, and could file for early eligibility for the 2018 NFL Draft after the season. He's regarded among the most talented quarterbacks in college football -- NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks ranks Rosen as the No. 2 quarterback in college football, citing the "cleanest release and throwing mechanics we've seen in years."
Apart from all the talent, scouting questions remain about Rosen's attitude and love for football, something to which he recently took exception. With two more seasons at the college level, Rosen could not only hone his passing skills, but re-shape the narrative about his intangibles, as well.
Mora would certainly be in favor of it.
Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter *@ChaseGoodbread*.