Garoppolo talks about comparisons to Romo

Jimmy Garoppolo is one of the top quarterback prospects in this year's NFL Draft. He threw for 5,050 yards, 53 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season at Eastern Illinois.

And because the 6-2, 226-pounder went to the same school as Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, the two have been compared many times over the last few months.

During a conference call this week, former Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden, now an ESPN analyst, said he doesn't compare the two because Garoppolo has been excelling in a spread offense, not the pro-style that Romo has run during his career.

Gruden asked Garoppolo about the comparisons to Romo during a segment for his Gruden camp TV show that aired last month.

"I'm glad to carry the comparison with me," Garoppolo said. "He's a heck of a quarterback, has had great success in the NFL, a Pro Bowl quarterback. If I could get there, I'd be real happy."

During an NFL Network interview this week, Garoppolo was again asked about the Cowboys QB.

"Tony Romo actually reached out to me after we won the conference this year," he said. "I've heard Romo actually has a pretty good golf game, too, so I might have to meet him out on the course. He might have to teach me a couple things."

Garoppolo is projected to go in the second round by most draft experts. Some of those experts have also pointed out that the Cowboys need to start looking for Romo's successor. Could the Cowboys land another Eastern Illinois quarterback?

Garoppolo said at the Senior Bowl earlier this year that he spoke with the Cowboys.

"It was good," he said of the visit. "I can't even list how many questions they asked, but they even threw out the Romo comparison a little bit. It's a standard really."

How does Garoppolo think he will adapt to a different style of offense?

"In college, I changed offenses," he said. "I went from a pro-style my first two years to a spread, completely throwing it around type of offense the last two years. I'm very versatile and open to really whatever type of offense that the coaches give me."