Playoff Championship Ohio St Oregon Football

Oregon's Marcus Mariota during the first half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Ohio State Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

(Eric Gay)

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota entered his name into the 2015 NFL Draft class earlier this week, and it only took a few days for the idea many have speculated about in Philadelphia for months to make it's way to the Heisman winner.

"Obviously my relationship with Coach Kelly," Mariota said about potentially joining the Eagles, "it'd be a lot of fun to be a part of that offense and be a part of that team. But for me, any team that wants me to be part of their club, I'm all for it."

Mariota was speaking with reporters for the first time since announcing he would enter the draft as part of a conference call for being named the 2015 recipient of the Manning Award, an honor handed out by Archie Manning and the Manning family every year to the top quarterback in college football.

Mariota certainly played like the top quarterback throughout this past college season, finishing his final season at Oregon with 4,454 yards, 42 touchdowns and only four interceptions. The dual-threat also added 770 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground.

His history with Kelly, who recruited Mariota to Oregon and started him as a freshman, has led Eagles fans everywhere to hope that the team might be able to land the quarterback despite currently sitting at No. 20 overall.

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After the Eagles' current starting quarterback, Nick Foles, suffered through a tough 2014 season before injuring his collarbone, both Kelly and owner Jeffrey Lurie made it clear that the team needs better play from the quarterback position.

Kelly's praise of Mariota has only added fuel to the fire that the team might try to trade up to get him.

"He has a gift for playing football," Kelly said of Mariota last month. "He is everything you could want. He can throw the ball, he can run. He is the most talented kid I coached in college."

Although there is still plenty of time before the draft, and prospects have fallen before, Mariota is currently slated by many to be the No. 1 pick.

"For me it's just, whatever opportunity comes up in the NFL, I'm going to do my best to make the most of it," Mariota said of the importance of being the top pick. "Where I get picked doesn't matter to me, as long as I get a shot. I'm very fortunate to be part of this process. I'm looking to get better and prepare myself for the next step."

"Whatever team wants me, I'd love to play for them. Whatever happens, happens, and I'm looking forward to the process."

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Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Sports on Facebook.