It’s easy to tell that Andrew Luck is a genuine down to earth athlete who is still getting used to the spotlight, even after all his glory at Stanford. With the expectations set to almost unattainable levels for Luck, it’s easy to forget that he is only 22-years old, entering the NFL draft and, like the rest of us, he still admires the stars of the League.
The former Stanford standout was recently interviewed by Pro Player Insiders and the potential No. 1 pick shared his candidness when asked whom he is most excited to meet while visiting LA for the NFLPA PULSE Awards.
“Drew Brees for sure,” said Luck. “I played high school football in Texas, I know he did as well. He’s obviously at the top of his game. Hopefully I can pick his mind and get some tips.”
The two-time Heisman Trophy candidate’s career at Stanford has been well documented – his story has been covered on every sports media site, newspaper, and magazine over the past two years. Luck was the leader of a team that brought a struggling football program to elite status during his short time in Northern California. The team won an Orange Bowl and lost, in an instant classic, this year’s Fiesta Bowl
Now as Luck moves on from the college ranks he has become the spotlight of this year draft and is said to be more pro ready than any QB ever coming out of college. Perhaps this is because of his attention to detail as he admits to watching the NFL players and taking parts from the elite QBs from around the league.
“As a college quarterback you try and take bits and pieces from all those guys that are obviously playing at a high level,” said Luck.
Luck says he wouldn’t have reached the level he has today without help from his former NFL quarterback father Oliver Luck. Mingling in the locker room as a kid with top pro athletes, watching from the sidelines, and knowing what it takes to compete at a high level are all priceless attributes he learned growing up in the NFL. Luck says his Dad has always been very supportive and has allowed him to develop and make his own decisions.
“He’s been great I think because he sort of let the coaches do the coaching and he handled the fathering aspect,” said the Heisman runner-up. “If I ever questioned anything he’d definitely answer it but I think he definitely knows the game has changed since he’s played so he lets the coaches do the coaching.”
As the draft draws near we all sit back and watch as the Indianapolis Colts’ carrousel spins to see whether or not they make huge trades for Luck and keep Peyton Manning or if they begin the rebuilding process by drafting what is almost sure to be a future star at quarterback. Whether he ends up in Indy, Miami or Washington Luck is just excited to get the opportunity to play in the league.
“[It will be] good to be a part of a new team and new surroundings,” said Luck. “It’s a very exciting time and I’m having a lot of fun with it.”
Come April 26, the fun has just begun.
