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Roethlisberger provides Wentz with vote of confidence

Bill Streicher / USA TODAY Sports

Ben Roethlisberger never forgot where he came from, and doesn't believe that coming from a small university will be a deterrent to Carson Wentz's career.

Roethlisberger forged a career as one of the NFL's marquee quarterbacks, winning two Super Bowls, along with four Pro Bowl selections over the course of his 12-year career. After starring at unheralded Miami University, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Roethlisberger 11th overall in 2004 and haven't looked back.

Wentz was chosen second overall by the Philadelphia Eagles after winning five NCAA Division I Football Championships at North Dakota State.

Roethlisberger dismissed the idea that Wentz would struggle in the NFL despite playing against inferior competition in college.

"You know, people do make a big deal about the small school, and his school is even smaller than Miami was, a MAC school," Roethlisberger told Talk of Fame Network's Clark Judge. "But I think what you look at is: What did he do at that school? Yeah, maybe the competition level wasn't that great, but it's not like he just went out and had a winning season. He won national championships for that school ... and that's pretty impressive.

"If you look at what Carson did in college, a lot of it ... he's not afraid to get under center ... he did it. He can drop back and pass. He can do the play-action stuff. He can do the boots and nakeds - things you just don't see a lot of in typical college football for the most part. There are still teams that do it. But I think he's as prepared as anybody because of the type of system he played in and the work that he put in to get himself NFL ready."

Wentz is expected to serve as Sam Bradford's backup in 2016, but it won't be long before he takes over under center, projected as the face of the franchise for years to come. If Wentz continues on an upwards trajectory and is unfazed by the elevated level of competition, he may be able to replicate Roethlisberger's outstanding track record.

- With h/t to CBS Sports

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