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Marcus Mariota On WFAN: I Have No Idea Where I'm Going In NFL Draft

NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Marcus Mariota is having the time of his life. But don't ask him which NFL city he will be calling home this fall. He says neither him nor his agent have the first clue.

The 2014 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback told WFAN's Mike Francesa on Wednesday that there's no telling which team will select him next Thursday when the draft opens in Chicago.

"It's crazy. I think it's pretty wide open," Mariota said. "My agent said at this time in the process you usually have a good idea of where you might end up and he told me yesterday, 'Dude, I have no idea. Just go ahead and enjoy the process and we'll see what happens.' So, I'm just going to take it for what it's worth and see what happens."

Considered by most as the second best quarterback prospect available behind Jameis Winston, Mariota has been projected as going as high as No. 1 and as low as the late teens in the draft. The Jets, who pick at No. 6, have long been linked to the former standout at Oregon, with some insiders suggesting they could even trade up to grab him.

But until something definitive happens, the well-spoken Mariota said he's content to bide his time and let this thing play itself out.

"You know, I'm just excited to go be a part of a new football organization and I'm looking forward to this opportunity," Mariota said. "It's getting really exciting now and I think my family is getting a little bit anxious."

Coming off a monster season at Oregon in which he completed 68.3 percent of his passes for 4,454 yards with 42 touchdowns and just four interceptions, Mariota has been called a larger version of the Seattle Seahawks' Russell Wilson and has also drawn comparisons to the San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick. Mariota is also an exceptional scrambler, amassing more than 2,200 yards on the ground, with 29 touchdowns, in his three collegiate seasons.

Mariota was impressive at both the NFL Scouting Combine and the Oregon Pro Day, drawing representatives from several teams, including a healthy contingent from the Jets.

The knock on Mariota is he's not accustomed to a pro-style offense, having played in a no-huddle, shotgun-infused spread offense at Oregon. He said he's not worried about the criticisms.

"It's people's opinions. Obviously, what we did at Oregon was real different. But at the same time I think a lot of teams that I've talked to said the stuff that we did at Oregon will help me in my transition," Mariota said. "I think a lot of the concepts, a lot of the stuff that we did as an offense was similar to some of the concepts that pro teams run and they think that transition for me won't be as severe. That's definitely comforting to hear as a player."

Mariota played part of his college career under Chip Kelly, who is currently the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. There have been plenty of reports suggesting Kelly would love to somehow move up in the draft and get his former pupil, though the coach himself has said the cost would be too prohibitive. Mariota said when it comes to Kelly's intentions, he rules nothing out.

"I'm not sure. I talked to coach Kelly a couple of times, kind of closer toward the Combine when he kind of asked me how I was doing and kind of checking in and being a mentor of some sort," Mariota said. "He does check in but for the most part, we'll have to see. I'm not sure what he's planning. But I do know this, that coach Kelly does always have a purpose for what he does."

Francesa asked Mariota, who is from Hawaii, if he prefers to play in a warm-weather NFL city.

"No, not at all. I don't have any preference. I just hope for an opportunity," Mariota said.

Mariota also discussed with Francesa why he has decided to not attend the draft. To hear his full interview, please click on the audio link below.

Marcus Mariota

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