Feb 21, 2014 10:34 AM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

Johnny Manziel has not even thrown a football in an official pre-draft workout, but has already been compared to Joe Montana, Doug Flutie, Fran Tarkenton and now, Brett Favre.

Manziel is one of the most exciting college football players in recent memory, like Tim Tebow, but the former is a cautionary tale in how that success may not transfer well to the pros. Still, with endorsements from a pro basketball player, a rapper, draft experts and Brett Favre himself, Manziel may have a reason to feel confident.

Favre told USA Today he watched Manziel lead Texas A&M to a comeback 41-38 victory on the road against Ole Miss. Manziel threw for 346 yards and ran for 124 more against Favre's hometown school and all of a sudden, the retired NFL QB realized something.

"I almost thought I was watching film of a young Brett Favre," the 44-year-old Favre, who spent 20 years in the pros, told USA Today.

"I didn't think I did a lot of things well (in college at Southern Miss), but he did. And I liked the attitude of 'whatever it takes' - from that standpoint, I liked him."

Favre said other people have made the comparison, but the retired QB admittedly had not watched Manziel play much at all. The comparison clicked after watching that game.

Favre was not an athletic runner like Manziel is, but he was well known for not letting a play die by throwing a pass away. Favre would throw an interception trying to force a pass rather than throw the ball out of bounds. Manziel has also shown a flare for the dramatic and an ability to keep plays alive.

At the NFL combine, Manziel was officially measured at five-feet-11 and 3/4-inches tall. Despite Teddy Bridgewater and Blake Bortles towering over him, Manziel's hands were measured to be nine and 7/8 inches, ESPN's Adam Shefter reported. Coaches and GMs who like measurable factors will be pleased with that, but passers like Drew Brees and Russell Wilson have proved that those do not always matter.

MANZIEL – 5’11 and ¾, 207 with 9 7/8 hands. BRIDGEWATER – 6’2 1/8, 214 with 9 ¼ hands. BORTLES – 6’5, 232 with 9 3/8 hands.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 21, 2014

NFL Network draft expert Mike Mayock told USA Today Manziel is reminiscent of any great scrambling QB, but, despite the plethora of comparisons, is still entirely unique.

"He's different than any quarterback I've (studied) before," said Mayock. "But I believe in the kid."

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