If the team's winning, I'm going to do whatever I can to help the team, whether that's from third-string role, backup, starter, it doesn't matter. I'm going to do what I can to prepare and help the team.
A lot of guys have tons of talent, but it boils down to the mental side of things. Preparing and knowing your offense and studying the defense. Being able to read and react quickly. The mental side is often overlooked.
Names that come to mind that I've learned from are Tom Brady - the way he gets the ball out and is so decisive. You can tell he is in total control out there. Another name is Aaron Rodgers, and how he's in total command. And also, Cam Newton, the way he has fun. I love that part of it.
Young quarterbacks usually experience bumps in the road. I'll take them in stride.
Playing football in Fargo has a total big-time feel. Everyone says it's FCS and it's a smaller school, but in Fargo, North Dakota, and in the state of North Dakota, NDSU football is the real deal.
Even at North Dakota State, football is a big deal.
I think I have the special ability to process information quickly and dissect defenses.
Honestly, I always told my coaches my whole career - we'll practice two-minute drills in practice, like, once a week and everything - I'm just like, 'Those are my favorite time of football.' I'm out there in total control, just getting everything lined up, getting everybody on the same page, and obviously, usually it's pass after pass after pass.
I've read some things that people said about me, and some of it's not even close to accurate. Honestly, I don't even have ESPN in my house. There's really no point.
When you come in as the second overall pick, the last thing you want is for guys to think you believe you've made it. Because that's the farthest thing from the truth.
From the third grade, I knew that I wanted to play in the NFL. It's pretty cool to see the dream about to come to fruition, but it's just a starting point.
I actually hated hunting the first time I went when I was a kid. My dad took us deer hunting. We sat there for 30 minutes, and I felt like I was losing my mind. But in college, I fell in love with it. Football became a full-time job, and I needed an escape. I needed something that would mellow me out.
I hold myself to a high standard.
I'm a competitive son of a gun. I don't like losing. I want to be the best out there. I want to lead the troops. I want to kind of take the bull by the horns and be in control.
A photographic memory, to me, is kind of like brainiac, genius type. I don't think I have that.
There is just something about being out in open country, about seeing the sun rise over a pond, that's really beautiful.
As a junior in high school, I had some injury problems with my arm and shoulder from baseball, so I didn't play quarterback as a junior. I played a little wide receiver, linebacker, and safety.
I can make all the throws. My mental side is a strength as far as understanding defense schemes and our playbook. I'm able to change plays when needed. I think that sets me apart.
If I scramble, I might get 5, 10, 15, 20 yards, but I'm not that fast. I always want to get it to the guys that can make plays.
Football is football; I don't care if you're doing it in Division II, NAIA, or in the SEC or anything in between.
