BRISTOL, Conn. -- Marshall quarterback Chad Pennington is no dummy. Mind you, this notion has nothing to do with the fact he has the brains of an Academic All-American and Rhodes Scholar finalist.

	Chad Pennington threw for 4,006 yards and 38 TDs last year.

Unlike most college graduates, Pennington has studied the job market and is well aware of what it presents for potential franchise quarterbacks like himself. He realizes there's no better first job than the one available in San Francisco, where star QBs have been synonymous with the 49ers like wind chill and Candlestick Park.

"As a quarterback, you couldn't go to a better place because of the offensive history, Steve Young, Joe Montana and the type of receivers they always have," Pennington said. "They're a winning organization. It'd be a great opportunity."

The quarterback-needy Niners already have deemed Pennington as their top quarterback prospect for the April 15-16 NFL draft. Whether the 6-foot-3, 229-pound senior slides to San Francisco at the 12th overall selection remains to be seen. Pennington, whose expertise just happens to be the short- to medium-range passes featured by the 49ers, would be perfect for their West Coast offense.

"He'd be good in that system with a three-step drop and where he doesn't have to throw the deep out or slim post where a Deion Sanders is going to close on the guy," said Phil Savage, the director of college scouting for the Baltimore Ravens. "He ran well at the combine (4.84 in the 40), but he doesn't show real good mobility on tape. I think that 40 time is indicative of how much of a worker he is. You tell him something to do, and he'll do it."

All Pennington did at Marshall was orchestrate a 13-0 record his senior year. He preserved the Thundering Herd's perfect mark in the regular-season finale against Western Michigan with three second-half touchdown passes -- including the game-winner with four seconds left -- in a 34-30 victory.

After Marshall's 21-3 victory over BYU in the Motor City Bowl, Pennington raised his stock with scouts at the Senior Bowl, where he hit on 11 of 14 attempts for 92 yards and a touchdown to earn the Most Valuable Player award. He stands to be Marshall's second first-round pick in three years, following the footsteps of Minnesota's Pro Bowl wide receiver, Randy Moss.

	“	"I've done everything I can do, everything they (the scouts) have wanted me to do. They've seen what I can do." ”
		— Chad Pennington

"I think we're almost spokespeople for our university," Pennington said. "Through our football talents, we're helping put our university on the map."

Pennington already has his bachelor's degree in journalism. Taking midterms of upper-division courses paled in comparison to getting used to a new offensive coordinator in each of his five years.

Being such a quick study is a big reason why Pennington is more prepared to play in the NFL than Louisville's Chris Redman, the draft's other top QB prospect, says Savage. "If you hand him a playbook today," Savage added, "he'll learn it tomorrow."

Still, questions persist. In addition to his mobility, scouts have doubts about the arm strength of Pennington, who threw for 4,006 yards and 38 touchdowns last year. When asked about the criticism, Pennington merely shrugs his shoulders.

"I've done everything I can do, everything they (the scouts) have wanted me to do," said Pennington, who got advice about the scouting process from fellow Knoxville, Tenn., celebrity -- Peyton Manning. "They've seen what I can do."

Pennington might see himself in the same red-and-gold uniform of his childhood idol, Joe Montana. Whether or not Montana's successor, Young, delays his retirement party, the 49ers would love to have Pennington follow Young's footsteps.

"I hope he (Young) retires," Pennington said with a laugh.

Joe Lago is the NFL editor for ESPN.com.