When quarterback Brady McBride arrived at the University of Memphis, he didn’t want to be a problem or seen as a ‘needy freshman’ so he picked the first number offered to him. That happened to be the No. 4.

Some associate No. 4 with former quarterback Riley Ferguson or even Hall of Famer Brett Favre. Instead of trying to be one of those quarterbacks, McBride is focusing on making a name for himself on the Tigers practice field.

“At the end of the day you have to be yourself,” McBride said when asked what he’s learned as a freshman. “You can’t be someone you’re not and if you are, it’ll show. Really just play your game.”

Before the sixth grade, the Texas native appeared in the backfield, but not as the signal-caller. Rather, McBride played running back.

When he started taking snaps as a sixth-grade quarterback, he transferred his experience as a running back to the position. That meant running or scrambling out of the pocket. Now, he scrambles to throw rather than run.

Learning the specifics of head coach Mike Norvell’s system can be difficult, even though Brady White helps McBride adapt. Memphis is happy with where he is as a true freshman.

“Brady is a guy who can go out extend, make plays and throw the ball downfield,” offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham said. “Obviously, he has to get more comfortable. He’s a true freshman. He has to get more comfortable in the system because we ask the quarterback to do a lot. Which he’s doing an awesome job picking it up, but it’s a process.”

White won the Tigers quarterback competition between the spring and fall so he started all eight games this season. McBride appeared in two games.

That’s by design, according to Norvell.

McBride playing in more than four games means forfeiting his redshirt season. If the Tigers starting quarterback goes down with an injury, and McBride has to play they want there to be a possibility of him keeping his redshirt.

“We’ve held him he’s only played two games,” Norvell said. “That’s for a specific purpose. That’s in case there’s a need or injury in the last couple (games) and he has to come in.”

McBride tries to take the talents of the older quarterbacks on the roster and apply those to his game. White teaches him about slowing down and observing the defense because he wants to go through all of his progressions rather than making one read and scrambling.

Then he learns from players he’s watched since he was a grade school running back. Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is a big inspiration of McBride’s because of the similarities in their games.

McBride draws comparisons to Mayfield when he ducks a defender, rolls right and makes a perfect throw on the run. Or when he sees nothing in the passing game tucks the ball and runs for a touchdown in the Tigers red zone drills. He also rolled out and hurled a pass downfield that hit a wide receiver in the back of the head.

The swagger McBride brings to the football field was gleaned from watching Johnny Manziel dominate the competition at Texas A&M.

“Baker is definitely my favorite quarterback; a close second is Brett Favre and a close third is Johnny Manziel,” McBride said. “That’s kind of how I carry myself on the field. Just bringing a certain swagger and certain confidence to spark my teammates around me.”

Forgetting the idols and who he admires, McBride has a simple message for fans itching to see him behind center one day.

“I’m Brady, Brady McBride,” he said.