The Post’s Steve Serby chatted with the former Notre Dame quarterback, who some believe will be the No. 1 pick in Thursday’s NFL Draft.

Q: What are you like in the huddle?

A: I’m calm. But at the same time, I’m authoritative. I just try to say the play clearly and get guys going. If something needs to be said, I’ll say it. I try to do everything I can to get the guys ready. If a bad play happens, move on to the next play.

Q: Do you chew guys out?

A: It depends. You have to know the personalities of the guys on the team. Some guys go in the tank if you chew them out.

Q: Do you crack jokes?

A: Sometimes I do, to get the guys loose.

Q: Do you think you’re loosey-goosey during crunch time?

A: I’m loose at all times. But at the same time, I’m focused and ready to go out and get the task done.

Q: Do you know Mark

Sanchez?

A: I know him real well. We talk every now and again.

Q: Mike Mayock compares you ability-wise with

Sanchez.

A: I think that’s a fair statement. Mark and I are both competitive.

. . . I think we’re pretty much the same size. . . . I think we both can make every throw that needs to be made in the NFL.

Q: If NFL teams asked “Why should we draft you?” what would you tell them?

A: I’d tell them because I’ve played in a pro-style offense the past three years under [former Notre Dame coach] Charlie Weis. . . . I’m real competitive . . . a leader on and off the field. . . . I’m a durable quarterback. . . . I’m an accurate passer.

Q: An example of your competitiveness?

A: When I tore my two tendons against Michigan State, I didn’t know if I could play against Purdue. I couldn’t move around or put too much on the ball. I tried to go out there for my team.

Q: So your backup, Dayne Crist, played most of the game?

A: I told Charlie Weis, “If you need me, put me back in.” The last drive of the fourth quarter, we were down by [four], Coach told me to get warmed up. I went in there with two torn tendons and drove the team down to win the game (a two-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to Kyle Rudolph) with [24.8] seconds left.

Q: What is it like driving down the field and

winning games in the

fourth quarter?

A: It’s the best feeling in the world. I want the ball in my hands when the game’s on the line.

Q: Style-wise, what kind of quarterback are you?

A: I think I’m kind of a combination of everybody. I’ve got smarts. . . . I like to check different things at the line. . . . I’m really competitive like Drew Brees is. . . . I like moving around in the pocket like Tom Brady does.

Q: Are you good at making audibles at the line?

A: Yeah, I am. I like doing that a lot.

Q: One criticism: you’re arrogant.

A: They probably don’t know who I am as a person, if that’s the way they want to see me.

Q: Another one: you’re not a good leader.

A: Pretty much the same thing.

Q: Another one: you have small hands. Are they big enough?

A: They’re big enough to get the job done I need to get done.

Q: You’ve watched film with Irish alum Joe Montana (whose son Nate attends Notre Dame) — what was the best pointer he gave you?

A: Just to take care of the ball. If it’s not there, throw it away. Check the ball down.

Q: Tom Brady?

A: Coach Weis made cutups of Tom Brady — pocket presence stuff, keeping plays alive, staying calm and making throws down the field.

Q: One quarterback whose brain you would like to pick?

A: Dan Marino.

Q: Not Montana or Brady?

A: I just want to pick somebody’s brain I’ve never talked to.

Q: Other quarterbacks you enjoy watching?

A: Peyton Manning; Drew Brees.

Q: Best Notre Dame moment?

A: The come-from-behind win against Purdue this past year.

Q: Worst Notre Dame moment?

A: Going 3-9 my first year.

Q: Especially after going 42-0 in high school?

A: It was definitely a change of ways for me. It was really tough.

Q: The incident after the UConn loss when someone sucker-punched you and taunted your then-girlfriend?

A: As soon as he hit me, I stumbled and my brothers came in and grabbed me and pulled me away. I left with my family.

Q: What prevented you from going after him?

A: I’m a public figure. I know I can’t do anything like that.

Q: What was it like being quarterback of Notre Dame?

A: Coach Weis and I always used to joke that you get too much blame when things go bad and when things go well, you get too much credit.

Q: Charlie Weis?

A: The smartest coach I’ve ever been around. He was just one step ahead of the defensive coordinator on the other team when he’s calling plays in the game.

Q: When your older brother Casey (Tennessee quarterback) wasn’t drafted, you used that as motivation?

A: It always stuck with me. It was his ultimate goal and dream to play in the National Football League. It’s the same thing for me.

Q: Best piece of advice your parents gave you?

A: Know the difference between right and wrong.

Q: Favorite childhood players?

A: Deion Sanders; Michael Jordan.

Q: Favorite childhood memory?

A: Probably going to Bass Lake with my entire family.

Q: Your nickname was “Smiley”?

A: When I was a little kid, when I played Little League baseball, I always smiled.

Q: Is it still your nickname?

A: Nah, I just go by Jimmy.

Q: Three dinner guests?

A: Martin Luther King; Abraham Lincoln; Ronald Reagan.

Q: Favorite movie?

A: Old Scores; The Hangover.

Q: What drives you?

A: Just to be the best person I can be and the best player I can be. . . . Just to be the best in everything I do.