Virginia Tech QB Jerod Evans made headlines when he surprisingly decided to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft instead of returning to school for his senior season.

As he works toward the next step in his career, he told the Star-Telegram that he hopes to follow in the footsteps of former Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott, who had an incredible season for the Dallas Cowboys last year after being selected in the fourth round of the draft.

Though Evans acknowledged that late-round quarterbacks like Tom Brady have also had success, he said he appreciates the way Prescott made an impact starting in Week 1:

“To come in in the fourth round, Dak has blown it up,” Evans said. “I keep hearing the comparisons. It’s an honor to get compared to someone who’s doing so great in the league, especially as a rookie, but he didn’t start [low-round picks making good]. It was definitely started way before him.”

Evans is projected to be a fifth- or sixth-round pick at this year’s draft, so he’ll have even more work to do than Prescott to see his way onto the field as a rookie.

However, Prescott is clearly serving as an inspiration to late-round quarterback prospects this year and will continue to do so as he leads the high-powered Cowboys offense.