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Lance: 'I have the potential to be the best QB in this class'

Justin Tafoya / NCAA Photos / Getty

Former North Dakota State star Trey Lance likely won't be the first or even the second quarterback to hear this name called at the 2021 NFL Draft, but he believes he'll eventually prove himself to be the elite passer of the group.

"I'm confident in myself, and I believe in myself," he said Tuesday on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football." "I think I have the potential to be the best quarterback in this class. I understand obviously there's gonna be a lot of learning to do, and I think, like I said, just as far as this quarterback class, I want them all to do well. I'm excited to see what they do and rooting for them all the same."

Lance is arguably the biggest question mark of the much-heralded quarterback class that also includes Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones.

The 20-year-old only started 17 career games with the Bison. He was limited to just one exhibition appearance in 2020 with North Dakota State's season postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lance possesses rare physical traits and has been widely praised for his football IQ, leaving NFL teams to evaluate whether his high ceiling outweighs his lack of experience and his lower level of competition in college.

The San Francisco 49ers, who traded up to acquire the No. 3 overall pick, are reportedly deciding between Lance and former Alabama standout Jones ahead of Thursday's opening round. Lawrence and Wilson are widely expected to be taken with the first and second pick owned by the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets, respectively.

Even if Lance doesn't land in San Francisco, he's confident his skill set will allow him to reach his potential regardless of his NFL home.

"I think I'm going to be able to learn any offense that I'm put into, any system I'm put into, and find a way to be successful. I'm just looking forward to it. Don't know where it's gonna be. I'm wishing I knew just as much as you guys if not more. But I'm looking forward to it coming up soon."

While Lance wasn't able to boost his draft stock in 2020, he produced an outstanding 2019 campaign en route to an FCS championship. He threw for 2,786 yards and 28 touchdowns against zero interceptions while also racking up 1,100 yards with 14 scores on the ground.

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