INDIANAPOLIS – The question was about today's NFL quarterbacks, and here at the NFL Combine, Oklahoma's Jalen Hurts rolled off an impressive list of players he's admired from afar.
"I watch all the great guys -- Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, Lamar Jackson," Hurts said. "I have a lot of respect for those guys."
But there's one quarterback who made a lasting impression on Hurts.
"I've always had a thing for Steve McNair," Hurts said of the late Titans quarterback. "I don't know what is, but he was a hell of a player. The way he played, the ability he had, the strength that he had."
Hurts, who finished his collegiate career with the Sooners after playing previously at the University of Alabama, was just a little boy when McNair starred for the Titans.
Hurts was one when McNair led the Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV. The year McNair won the league's co-MVP award in 2003, Hurts was five years old. But Hurts has seen highlights from McNair's playing days, and has always respected his game.
"I mean, he was a dude," Hurts said of McNair. "He was a dude."
Check Hurts' Twitter page and you'll see his last activity was recognizing McNair's birth date February 14. Hurts retweeted a post from the NFL wishing "Happy Birthday to a legend," which was paired with a photo of McNair, his hands held up in the air.
Hurts, who grew up in Texas, also spoke highly of a current Titan during his media availability on Tuesday.
Hurts is close friends with Titans receiver A.J. Brown, and he said the two talk regularly. Brown, if you remember, showed up for a Titans preseason game back in August wearing an Oklahoma jersey with the name Hurts on the back.
"He's a great friend of mine, a close friend of mine," Hurts said of Brown. "I actually recruited him to Alabama – he didn't come, but we've been very close every since. We talk often, and (relationship) has been very supportive – I've been very supportive of him. It is beyond football with me and him – he is a great friend.
"And it was very cool to see him have the year he had this year and I know he is hungry for more."
This week, Hurts is hoping to prove to NFL scouts and coaches he can make the leap – and be successful – at the next level.
Hurts was a Heisman Trophy runner-up during the 2019 season at Oklahoma after a successful career at Alabama, where he was an All-SEC performer and a national champion.
When he stepped up to the podium this week, Hurts expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
"I just want to express the appreciation of being here and being around these great players and being able to meet with these great clubs," Hurts said. "I want to give a special thanks to my parents … they raised me to be the man I am today so I am very appreciative of it."
Check out Titans players over the years at the NFL Scouting Combine. (AP Photos)
Alabama running back Derrick Henry runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Mississippi wide receiver A.J. Brown runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
USC defensive back Adoree' Jackson runs a drill at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at the Lucas Oil Stadium, Monday, March 6, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Massachusetts-Amherst receiver Tajae Sharpe runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Boise State defensive lineman Kamalei Correa runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, right, and Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indiana's Rodger Saffold runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Southern California defensive lineman Jurrell Casey runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arizona State offensive lineman Jamil Douglas runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
Pittsburgh running back Dion Lewis runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Texas defensive back Kenny Vaccaro runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Towson defensive back Tye Smith runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Rutgers defensive back Logan Ryan runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Michigan State offensive lineman Jack Conklin runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Southern Utah defensive back Leshaun Sims runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Thursday, March 3, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michigan offensive lineman Taylor Lewan runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Penn State defensive lineman Daquan Jones runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Southern Illinois tight end Mycole Pruitt runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
UCLA linebacker Jayon Brown runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, March 5, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Penn State defensive lineman Austin Johnson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UCLA defensive lineman Matt Dickerson runs during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Florida International tight end Jonnu Smith runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Saturday, March 4, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Nebraska defensive back Joshua Kalu runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 5, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry performs in a drill seen at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Toledo quarterback Logan Woodside throws during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arizona defensive back Dane Cruikshank runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 5, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Charlotte offensive lineman Nate Davis runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan defensive back David Long runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Craig Stevens of Cal Berkeley takes part in position drills during the 2008 Scouting Combine at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Alabama offensive lineman Chance Warmack runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Rutgers receiver Kenny Britt runs a football drill at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
FILE - In this March 1, 2010, file photo, Georgia Tech's Derrick Morgan runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. Morgan is a top prospect in the NFL draft. AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Stephen Tulloch of North Carolina State crosses the finish line in the 40-yard dash during the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis,Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kamerion Wimbley of Florida State crosses the finish line in the 40-yard dash during the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 27, 2006. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Auburn defensive lineman Sen'derrick Marks runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Iowa running back Shonn Greene runs a football drill at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Southern California's Damian Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas defensive lineman Brian Orakpo runs a football drill at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
East Carolina running back Chris Johnson fields questions from the media during the 2008 Scouting Combine at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Mississippi's Dexter McCluster runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Washington quarterback Jake Locker during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UCLA linebacker Akeem Ayers runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Miami linebacker Colin McCarthy runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson defensive back Coty Sensabaugh runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012, in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
North Carolina linebacker Zach Brown runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Western Kentucky running back Antonio Andrews runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Missouri linebacker Zaviar Gooden runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 25, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kentucky linebacker Avery Williamson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Baylor receiver Kendall Wright runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Connecticut defensive back Blidi Wreh-Wilson runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
California offensive lineman Brian Schwenke runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Tennessee receiver Justin Hunter runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Washington running back Bishop Sankey runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
