He traveled down south this summer, all way down to the Bayou for a few good days work.

Sure, Joey Elliott has barely played for Purdue over the past four years, yet he still ended up being one of over 20 quarterbacks at the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, La.

So despite his inexperience in actual games, he found himself teaching and learning beside Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford, Heisman finalist Colt McCoy and a bunch of other high-profile quarterbacks.

"We had some funny stories talking about media and fans and how crazy some things can get, obviously (McCoy) playing at Texas, some crazy fans and whatnot," Elliott said. "You learn from them. You have to be patient. You have to be calm in the pocket. Working out with them, watching them throw and watching their technique and mechanics will help me as a quarterback."

And he figures to stay in touch as well, through phone conversations and texting.

It also gave him a confidence boost, something he relayed to his father while he was at the camp. As much as he learned from the country's elite quarterbacks, he'll now have to be on the same field as them in a little over a week.

"I'm throwing with Sam Bradford, and it's an experience," Elliott said. "I went over and called my dad and said 'Well, he's a quarterback. I'm a quarterback. He throws the ball. I throw the ball. There's not too many differences. He plays for Oklahoma. I play for Purdue."

Then Elliott dropped the one major thing separating Bradford and himself.

"But," Elliott said. "He's the Heisman Trophy winner."

Elliott against Penn State:

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for annarbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558 or at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com.