Former USC QB Matt Barkley has been rehabbing his shoulder and preparing for his pro day at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. (Photo: Chip J. Litherland for USA TODAY Sports) INDIANAPOLIS — The 16 quarterbacks who have arrived here for the NFL scouting combine literally can't escape the comparisons to last year's star-studded class. It was here, at Lucas Oil Stadium, that Andrew Luck, last year's No. 1 overall pick, took a two-win Indianapolis Colts team and turned it into a playoff squad. The second pick, Robert Griffin III, did the same for the Washington Redskins as did Seattle Seahawks third-rounder Russell Wilson. Giant pictures of Luck cover the walls inside a stadium concourse that has been transformed into the media center for the combine, where a new group of quarterback prospects — players like Matt Barkley, Landry Jones, Geno Smith and Collin Klein — face repeated questions about the perceived weakness of their class as a whole. "Maybe there is no Luck or RGIII, but there are quite a few talented quarterbacks that did good things in college," said Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib on Friday. "It's really who is going to separate themselves here or on the pro day or in the interviews. I just hope that at the end of the day, I've put myself in the best position to hopefully get put ahead of some of these guys. That's what we're all striving for." SEEKING RESPECT: Barkley, Smith out to prove naysayers wrong TRENDING UP? Arkansas' Tyler Wilson trying to crack first round I'M THE BEST: Florida State's E.J. Manuel struts confidence The proving process began for several of these prospects at the Senior Bowl last month, but it is accelerated here in the high-pressure, non-stop job interview that includes physical drills, formal sit-downs with club executives, aptitude tests and medical examinations. It will likely take significant effort, tremendous workouts and strong interviews here or at a pro day to convince quarterback-needy teams to draft one in the first round. John Elway, the Denver Broncos executive vice president and Hall of Fame quarterback, isn't scouting passers this year, so perhaps that puts him in a better position to judge the 2013 class as a whole. Elway views no one player who is certain to make a similar impact as a rookie as Luck, Griffin or Wilson did. Other 2012 draft picks who started as rookies include Ryan Tannehill, Brandon Weeden, Nick Foles and Kirk Cousins. "There were two or three guys that came in and made huge impact. And now you look at it, and there's not one guy that's jumping out at everybody at that position," Elway said Friday. "It's hit or miss with who is coming out." Elway and the Broncos didn't want to miss. After luring free agent quarterback Peyton Manning to Denver last March, the Broncos used a second-round pick on Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler. Had Osweiler decided to stay in school for his senior year in 2012, it is very possible he would be in the conversation to be the top quarterback in this draft. "I didn't want to be in that position. With Brock coming in, and where we got him, we think we can train him so when Peyton decides to hang 'em up, we can continue to play at the level we're at now," Elway said. Story Highlights
