INDIANAPOLIS -- At the NFL Scouting Combine yesterday, quarterbacks were front and center.

The three quarterbacks who are expected to go first — Mark Sanchez of USC, Georgia’s Matthew Stafford and Josh Freeman of Kansas State — met the media in advance of their workouts, and drew plenty of attention. But the quarterback who arguably got the most notice was Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel. Even though no members of the New England coaching staff or front office met the media, players, coaches and GMs from across the league were more than happy to talk about Cassel’s impact on the league, his status and his future.

After Tom Brady went down in Week 1 of the 2008 season, Cassel — a career backup to that point — struggled to find his footing. However, he rebounded to lead the Patriots to an 11-5 record, compiling 3,693 passing yards, a 63 percent completion percentage, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. As a result, New England decided to franchise the 26-year-old quarterback, bumping his salary from just over $500,000 to $14.65 million.

As is the case with most quarterbacks, Cassel’s story is serving as inspiration to Sanchez. Some critics believe he isn’t ready to make the jump to the NFL after just one full year as a starter at USC, but Sanchez — who spoke with Cassel at the Super Bowl — is using Cassel as a counterargument to those nonbelievers.

“Absolutely. Absolutely,” Sanchez said with a smile when asked about Cassel’s collegiate track record, which included zero career starts at USC. “I have more starts (in college) than him, that’s for sure.

“I’m happy for him and what he’s done,” Sanchez added, who says he’s gotten advice about making the transition from college to the pros from several USC quarterbacks, including Cassel and Matt Leinart. “That speaks volumes for his perseverance and his makeup. He’s a great guy and been very supportive in my decision. I saw him out at the Super Bowl in Tampa. He was great. I’m happy for him.”

(It isn’t the first time a USC quarterback has found inspiration in Cassel. Last fall, Trojan backup quarterback Mitch Mustain  — who was No. 2 on the depth chart behind Sanchez — said Cassel’s performance was able to provide him with plenty of encouragement. “It’s nice to see a guy who’s gone in and put the work in and delivered when he finally got his break,” Mustain said in November. “He’s struggled and been dogged here and there, but he’s had his chance and done pretty well.”)

Thomas Dimitroff had plenty of reason to say good things about Cassel. Prior to becoming Atlanta’s GM a year ago, he was part of the New England braintrust when the Patriots drafted the quarterback. He gave a lot of the credit yesterday to former New England scout Matt Russell, who stuck around at the end of USC’s Pro Day to really get a sense of what Cassel could do.

“Too often, at the end of a pro day like that, people will get on a plane quickly,” Dimitroff said. “But Matt stuck around and ended up seeing something that was vital for us to continue to research. That said, we looked at it, but obviously didn’t have a whole body of work to really evaluate.

“But as you see him around the Patriots organization, you see how he was really very good about being there early and trying to keep up with Tom. And, obviously with Tom Brady being such a leader and setting the tone, Matt really adhered to that approach and he just continues to get better and better. So I wasn’t necessarily surprised. They have a fantastic supporting cast there for him, and I think it was obviously a very nice, smooth transition.”

Minnesota has been rumored to be a possible landing spot for the recently franchised quarterback. Of course, when you have Tarvaris Jackson and Gus Frerotte fighting it out for the starting job, you’re always going to be asked about the possibility of acquiring another quarterback — Michael Vick’s name was even broached during a press conference with Vikings’ coach Brad Childress.

But Childress wanted nothing to do with any Cassel talk. Asked by a reporter to evaluate Cassel’s ability, he drew back quickly.

“You know what? I’d prefer just to stay away from that. Matt Cassel is the property of the New England Patriots,” said Childress. He then motioned at some Minnesota writers, adding, “These guys know I don’t do conjecture very well.”

Finally, Denver’s Josh McDaniels — the last coach to speak on the day — was almost predictably effusive in his praise of Cassel.

“I was a small part of his success and he was a big part of my success,” said New England’s former offensive coordinator, who added that any team in the NFL would be lucky to have Cassel under center for them.

“Matt Cassel is very bright. He’s very athletic. He’s got a strong, accurate arm, and he has — now — a full season of game experience under his belt,” McDaniels continued. “I think we all saw how much that meant to him as the season progressed. He is a competitive player, a great person. And there’s a lot of things about Matt that are very ideal for that position — size, and all the rest of it.

“I think whatever challenge Matt Cassel has in front of him — whether that be in New England or happens to be somewhere else — I think he’s going to respond to it the same way he’s responded since he walked in the door in New England, which is to meet it head-on with a great attitude, an incredible work ethic and to try to do everything he can to make himself better. So if that’s what you’re looking for in an NFL quarterback, you probably got a shot.”

Christopher Price covers the Patriots for WEEI.com.