With two quarterbacks projected to be taken within the first six picks in the NFL Draft, the class' widely accepted third-best prospect might be able to sneak into the first round.

According to Philly.com, Chip Kelly, former head football coach at the University of Oregon, recruited Hundley and even preferred him to Marcus Mariota. Kelly is now the coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and his team seems unable to draft Mariota at their current position.

But Hundley could well be sitting right in front of the Eagles at the 20th overall pick.

"He's a great individual, great man. I love [Kelly] to death," Hundley told Philly.com Thursday at the NFL combine. "I got to spend some time [with him] coming out of high school."

Kelly has been rumored to be looking for a quarterback more to his liking to compete for the starting job with Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez, quarterbacks currently on the roster. Kelly wound up with Mariota at Oregon and Hundley went to UCLA, but the former wound up with a Heisman Trophy and potentially first-overall draft stock.

At 10th overall the St. Louis Rams may be looking for a QB and the Houston Texans may be as well at 16th overall. Still, Hundley may not have the physical tools and past performance to earn a first round pick. What may be working to his advantage is most evaluators have him as the third-best prospect in a top-heavy QB class.

CBS Sports reported Hundley had "the strongest first impression" at the NFL Combine's interview phase. Evaluators were also reminded of his ideal size and his hands measured bigger than any other QB. Also speaking to his competitiveness, Hundley showed his willingness to participate in all the combine's drills.

He wants to go head-to-head with Mariota and Jameis Winston, the two QBs at the top of most everyone's lists.

As CBS Sports noted, Hundley can do nothing to convince evaluators of his pocket presence and comfort level in a pro-style offense. But of the things he can control, Hundley may be poised to impress.

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