Colts top draft pick, quarterback Andrew Luck, who makes his preseason debut Sunday night, took time out to chat with Post columnist Steve Serby.

Q: Why is it so difficult to follow in Peyton Manning’s footsteps?

A: He’s been so successful, arguably the best quarterback ever to play the game. If you were trying to follow his footsteps, it would be incredibly difficult. I’d go crazy if I woke up every day and tried to compare myself to Peyton Manning.

Q: Will you follow Redskins No. 2 overall selection Robert Griffin III’s career?

A: It’s hard not to follow other careers of NFL quarterbacks in the 24/7 news-at-your-fingertips society we live in.

Q: Give me a scouting report on RG3.

A: Much more polished than people give him credit for … tremendous arm … playmaker.

Q: A scouting report on Andrew Luck.

A: Needs to get a lot better in all areas of his game.

Q: How would you describe your on-field temperament?

A: I don’t have a problem talking to guys on my team, but not too boisterous or aggressive, try to stay somewhat even keel, but don’t throw emotion completely out of it.

Q: What are you like in the huddle?

A: I think being able to exude a sense of calmness.

Q: Do you crack jokes?

A: Every now and then when the time is appropriate. They’re not always appreciated, I’ll tell you that much (laugh).

Q: Have you cracked any in practice yet?

A: I told a terrible joke [Friday]. I was shut down by Reggie Wayne and Clyde Christensen.

Q: What did you say?

A: During a wet ball drill, the dye runs off on your hand. I said, “I was caught red-handed.”

Q: Quarterbacks you liked to watch growing up?

A: Peyton Manning and Steve McNair.

Q:: Why McNair?

A: His toughness, the Air McNair moniker, the way he could throw the daylights out of the ball.

Q: And Peyton?

A: He seemed to always be in control, and he saw what was happening before it happened.

Q: What’s it like being the most eligible bachelor in Indianapolis?

A: (Laugh) I don’t know if my girlfriend would appreciate that. It definitely comes with the territory of being quarterback.

Q: Describe your ideal mate.

A: Someone that’s independent … intelligent and witty … and honest.

Q: How do you deal with the privacy issue, or lack thereof?

A: 1, I’m not big into social media. I do think that helps to a certain degree. And 2, I try to put myself in situations if I am gonna go out, try not to be the center of attention. Fly below the radar.

Q: That’s not easy to do, is it?

A: A baseball cap … sunglasses … tricks (chuckle).

Q: What was your best Stanford moment, on or off the field?

A: You gotta give me two moments. I’ll go [with] beating Cal in their stadium my junior year was awesome. And student-wise, probably the best feeling after my last presentation, my last exam, and finishing that was a big relief. It was a presentation on a skyscraper. I was part of a team that designed one that quarter.

Q: What was your GPA?

A: A little under 3.5.

Q: Toughest course?

A: Static engineering. Paul Mitiguy, great professor. You really had to grind it out.

Q: What was it like when 49ers coach, and former Stanford coach, Jim Harbaugh stepped in to play seven-on-seven quarterback in practice one day.

A: He probably threw about three interceptions (chuckle).

Q: Did the picks tick him off?

A: I think they did, if my memory’s correct. I don’t have to suck up to him, he’s not my coach, right (laugh)?

Q: What makes Harbaugh a great coach?

A: He’s competitive. I think that drives all his decisions, how to make this team more competitive. And he’s a great motivator.

Q: How does your competitiveness compare with his?

A: Different. He might be a little more willing to talk about his competitive nature. I don’t go about it that way.

Q: Yours is more inside?

A: I’d like to say so. I’m not afraid to say I’m competitive. I think everyone at this level is competitive.

Q: Most embarrassing moment?

A; Recently I lined up under the guard during practice. This is like my third NFL practice (chuckle).

Q: Why have you described yourself as a dork?

A: I’ve been told by my friends I’m a nerd and all my siblings (laugh).

Q: Everyone has skeletons in their closet. … Is there anything you’ve done to get into trouble?

A: Nothing I’ll share with you (laugh). I slept through a lift my freshman year at Stanford — not fun consequences for doing that. … I managed to stay out of legal trouble, so that’s been good (chuckle).

Q: What were the consequences?

A: You wake up at 5:30 and have to go into the weight room and do punishment exercises and clean the weight room. One or two sessions, an hour long … [for a] first offender (chuckle).

Q: Three dinner guests?

A: My dad; the Duke of Wellington, who defeated Napoleon in the Battle of Waterloo; Abraham Lincoln.

Q: Boyhood idol?

A: My father. I wanted to be like him, simply put.

Q: Favorite childhood memory with your father?

A: Probably skiing in Colorado. When we were in Europe, skiing over there with him. I snowboarded … which is frowned upon at this time in my life (chuckle).

Q: What was it like for you watching your father Oliver play for the Frankfurt Galaxy in NFL Europe?

A: Awesome. It was a great experience. My dad would take me on trips with him on weekends. I got to go to Scotland, Barcelona, Amsterdam.

Q: Athletes in other sports you admire?

A: Clint Dempsey [soccer star]. He’s a Texas guy. He’s got a very interesting story. He’s sort of my sports hero right now. … I really enjoy watching [Timberwolves big man] Kevin Love play.

Q: What did you think of Michael Phelps?

A: Outstanding. What he accomplished is unbelievable.

Q: Favorite movies?

A: “Shawshank Redemption,” the recent Batman trilogy.

Q: Favorite actor?

A: Christian Bale.

Q: Favorite actress?

A: Demi Moore.

Q: Favorite singer/entertainer?

A: Springsteen … The Boss. I’ve seen him twice. They were life-changing in terms of my musical taste.

Q: Favorite meal?

A: My mother makes a Mediterranean chicken dish. We don’t have a name for it. … It’s good (chuckle).

Q: Have you been to St. Elmo’s Steakhouse?

A: I have, and I’ve had the shrimp.

Q: Your reaction to the hot cocktail sauce?

A: Oh my god!

Q: Any tears?

A: Nobody saw them at least.

Q: Superstitions?

A: Not too many. I do like routines. Waking up the same time, go to bed the same time.

Q: What about eating Subway on Friday game days and Quiznos on Saturday game days in high school?

A: Subway was closest to school and Saturday, my house was closer to Quiznos. Necessity (chuckle).

Q: Hobbies?

A: I enjoy watching soccer … reading … traveling.

Q: You played soccer?

A: Only until fifth grade. I ended up picking it up again in high school, show up in the park and play. I played intramural soccer at Stanford — I don’t think I told anybody (chuckle).

Q: What did you think of U.S. soccer star Alex Morgan?

A: Great athlete. Too bad she had to go to Cal, but very impressed with what she did.

Q: Favorite book?

A: “Papillon.”

Q: What drives you?

A: 1, Not wanting to let your teammates down is a big one … performing for them. And 2, being competitive … wanting to win.

Q: What would you want your teammates and the city of Indianapolis to say about you?

A: I hopefully did the right thing most of the time (chuckle) or all the time, and I worked my butt off and didn’t go into games unprepared, and represented the city like all the hard-working people who live in it in the same manner.

Q: You will win a Super Bowl one day because …?

A: I happen to be surrounded by great players.

steve.serby@nypost.com