NFL Draft 2012: Breaking Down How Ryan Tannehill Became Such a Hot Prospect

The question of whether or not Ryan Tannehill is a top-15 pick is irrelevant now. There is no doubt that the Texas A&M star will hear his name called that early on draft day.

But how did he get here? How did the 6'4", 222-pound signal-caller go from a relatively under-the-radar guy to the most talked-about prospect in the draft?

Just three years ago, when Andrew Luck's name first shot to the top the big board following the 2009 draft, Tannehill was a redshirt-sophomore receiver with the Aggies. The Texas native arrived at College Station as a quarterback, but he finished third in the quarterback competition in 2008 behind Stephen McGee and Jerrod Johnson.

Then-coach Mike Sherman moved the athletic Tannehill out wide, where he recorded 112 receptions, 1,596 yards and 10 touchdowns as a receiver before taking back the quarterback position midway through 2010.

This year, his first full season as a starter, he threw for 3,744 yards, 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions with a 61.6-percent completion percentage.

When the season ended—a disappointing campaign in which the Aggies only went 7-6—he was ranked as the No. 3 quarterback in the draft.

In reality, Tannehill was never truly unknown, and his rise isn't all that surprising. Injuries sidelined him for the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine, which is largely why he wasn't talked about much.

But with Peyton Manning in Denver, Matt Flynn in Seattle and Andrew Luck and RGIII expected to go to Indianapolis and Washington, respectively, the flood gates have opened in the Tannehill sweepstakes.

Colts owner Jim Irsay, ever the fire-starter, tweeted last week:

"

Tannehill is a hidden gem in this draft,a quiet secret who was always sneaking up to #3..you want him,you better talk to Zigi The Biggie!

— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) April 11, 2012"

"Zigi" is Vikings owner Zygi Wilf. Minnesota has long been rumored as a potential draft-day mover, and things could certainly heat up when teams are on the clock.

There is a chance that Tannehill will be on hand for it, too, as he was one of the record 26 players invited to this year's draft.

We've seen the NFL make mistakes with these invites (Brady Quinn is still sitting in the Green Room for all we know), but there is no quiet secret when it comes to Tannehill anymore.

The quiet was never in NFL circles; teams have known of Tannehill for quite some time.

Tannehill hasn't done anything out of the ordinary—he's simply been himself. The draft process has a way of doing this, though, and this year, he just happens to be the one guy who several teams cannot do without on draft day.

It wouldn't be surprising at all if he wound up going No. 3 overall.