Kizer compares self to Brady, Newton: 'Why can't I be the greatest?'

DeShone Kizer certainly isn't lacking ambition ahead of the NFL draft.

The Notre Dame product is expected to be one of the first quarterbacks selected in the event and the 21-year-old revealed his lofty, long-term goals Thursday.

"No one else can do what I can do. And I've truly figured out in this (draft) process, if I can maximize all my potential in every aspect of the game - this is bold - I do have the ability to be the greatest quarterback to ever play," Kizer said to USA TODAY's Tom Pelissero. "Imagine taking (Tom) Brady's intellect and Brady's preparation and putting it on a guy with Cam Newton’s body. Why can't I be the greatest? The only thing stopping me from it is me. That's what's driving me now."

Unlike previous years, there isn't any certainty as to who will be the first quarterback drafted. Kizer, along with Clemson's Deshaun Watson, North Carolina's Mitchell Trubisky, and Texas Tech's Patrick Mahomes, is vying to be the first quarterback to reach the podium.

Kizer called out Mahomes, believing he can execute more routes than the Texas Tech standout.

"Name a college quarterback who goes into the game-plan meetings on Monday and throws his notes at the coaches," Kizer said. "No one else game plans the way I do. No one else prepares the way I do. No one else knows football the way I do. No one else is as big as I am. No one else is as powerful a runner as I am. Pat Mahomes might throw the ball 80 yards and I can only throw the ball 72, but I guarantee he can’t throw an out route the way I can."

Kizer's self-confidence may endear him to league personnel and it'll be compelling to see if he gets his name called first among a deep, uneven cohort.