In his customary "Way-too-early" NFL mock draft, ESPN's Todd McShay projected a quarterback (no surprise there) not many people outside State College, Penn. may know about.

First of all, McShay projected the Washington Redskins to own the first overall pick, followed by the Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders. With Robert Griffin III's contract up after this season, these three teams could be targeting Christian Hackenberg, a former five-star prospect from Palmyra, Va.

In two seasons, Hackenberg has thrown 32 touchdowns and 25 interceptions and his accompanying numbers are equally unspectacular. But Hackenberg is a name college football fans are going to hear a lot this year.

Already, Penn State head football coach James Franklin is fielding questions about the junior's impending NFL decision at season's end, ESPN's Brian Bennett noted.

"To have a conversation with you right now about next year's draft, I think, is ridiculous," Franklin told reporters during his coaches' caravan media tour. "I also think it's unfair and it's unrealistic when people talk about guys that are supposed to be this or supposed to be that before they've done any real in-depth research on guys."

In his brief analysis of Hackenberg, McShay said the QB has "big-time talent" and "a pro-style skill set." In the age of the dual-threat, read-option QB catching on again, the latter is not something often associated to the top passing prospects coming out of college.

To get a feel for Hackenberg's abilities, look to Penn State's Oct. 12, 2013 four-overtime win over Michigan at home. It was his sixth start in college and the Lions were noticeably depleted all over the field from NCAA sanctions that lessened their scholarships and overall ability to recruit.

Down seven points with less than a minute to go, Hackenberg fired a 35-yard dart followed immediately by a spiked ball to stop the clock. On the next play, Hackenberg chucked a pass 34 yards downfield to set up the game-tying touchdown.

Also take note of the other passes Hackenberg is completing in the above highlight video; they are thrown from the pocket into tight windows.

With the Big Ten on the rise and the Lions recouping some scholarships, Hackenberg could have Penn State in contention for a major bowl game this season.