Here Comes The BOOM! Rocky Lombardi, QB, Northern Illinois

First Round Mock’s William Yanish has evaluated and spoken to Northern Illinois quarterback (QB) Rocky Lombardi and it’s worth your time to read this and to hear what Lombardi himself has to say before the 2024 NFL Draft.

I sit here and shout about work ethic, heart, mind and football IQ, every week. However, who I am going to spotlight right now is who I believe is the hardest-working quarterback in this draft class.

With a name like Rocky Lombardi, you tend to be remembered.

Even of no known relation to the legendary Vince Lombardi (the man who the Super Bowl Trophy is named after), that doesn’t mean football isn’t still important to his family. The Northern Illinois product checks in at six-foot-three, 227 pounds.

The former wrestler is as tough as they come, just like his family. From his grandfather, Bob Lombardi, and coach father Tony Lombardi. His ‘baby brother’ Beau Lombardi is a 6-foot-2, 300-pound offensive lineman (OL) and wrestler for the Army Black Knights at West Point, New York.

Background

Lombardi was a three-star recruit (247Sports) and received offers from Michigan State, Iowa State, and Virginia (per ESPN). He ended up playing at Michigan State for three seasons (2018 to 2020), before transferring to Northern Illinois 2021-2023).

From the film I’ve watched in my previous scouting report (fourth-round grade) and the film I’ve watched to prepare this scouting report, Lombardi looks comfortable bringing his team back from behind.

I counted six come-from-behind victories in 2021.

These games were versus Georgia Tech, Eastern Michigan, Toledo, Central Michigan, Ball State, and Buffalo. 

I counted four come-from-behind victories in 2023.

These games were against Boston College, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, and Arkansas State. 

These types of efforts have to get someone’s attention in the NFL.

The Yanish Report

Thick, tough, brawny built QB. Concentrating on footwork with strong lower body mechanics. Gets it done with his feet or his arm. The better the competition, the better he plays. Rocket arm with incredible touch. Can sling the pigskin. His game is an absolute masterpiece of work ethic. Outstanding performance IQ with notable character. Tough, tough, tough.

Can hang with the best. DRIVEN. Kool-Aid man crash mentality. All he needs is an opportunity.

Clutch. Fighter. PASSIONATE.

For the win

On February 22, I had the opportunity to be on ‘100 Yards of Football’ with Vincent Turner and to speak directly with Lombardi. It was during this conversation, I asked Lombardi pertinent questions that may be of interest to NFL personnel:

*A special First Round Mock thank you to Rocky Lombardi for being on the interview and to 100 Yards of Football, Vincent Turner, and Logan Landers (show producer) for facilitating and hosting the show.

I walked away impressed by Lombardi’s game film and this interview, which is reflected in my final grade.

The more I see, the more there is to like. What he brings to the table is that he is brimming with that unteachable “It” factor.

Pounding the table to bring Lombardi in and letting him work with some professional players would be fire. There is absolutely no risk in taking a flyer on him. It might just be like capturing lightning in a bottle. He can handle the pressure with ease. This is what football is about. No diva. No drama. Just raw football.

If any NFL team needs a No. 2 QB, my suggestion would be to turn in the draft card with the name “Rocky Lombardi” on it. That team will not be disappointed.

My Big three questions

1. When will he be noticed in the process?

2. Will he end up with a QB guru coach in the NFL?

3. Which team is he going to end up on?

My 2024 NFL Draft Value: Third-Round

Game film evidence Northern Illinois (2021):

Kent State

Game film evidence Northern Illinois (2023):

Toledo

Arkansas State

William Yanish III is a lifelong football fan. He’s from the little town of Crawford, Colorado. Along the way, he’s lived in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and Brookings, Oregon. Quarterback Joe Montana was his idol growing up. A little bit of CTE from life’s adventures killed his dreams as a football player. Now, he is an aspiring writer and Draft Analyst at FirstRoundMock.com. He’s a fanatic with a dream, which is coming true.