Heading into the 2019 season, Joe Burrow was far from college football’s most hyped quarterback. One notable SEC foe, however, was impressed by the Ohio State transfer’s first season at LSU.

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn joined Lance Medow on Sirius XM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio to discuss NFL Draft prospects, including the 2019 Heisman Trophy winner. Malzahn noted that Burrow has impressed him in the 2018 Tiger Bowl, a memorable close contest that ended 23-20.

“He was a very solid quarterback the year before,” Malzahn told Medow. “We had a very close game with him, went down to the end…I was pretty impressed then. I think they started doing things that really fit his skill set. They spread things out and gave him more control.”

Malzahn pointed out that Burrow impressed him not only in Auburn-LSU games but also when AU was watching film in preparation of common opponents.

“It was really impressive to watch,” Malzahn continued. “Not just when we played him. As a coach, you get a chance to watch different teams against each other and we watched probably three or four games. Every game you have a wow moment. He had an unbelievable year. He’s a heck of a quarterback.”

[H/T 247Sports]