Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson said Tuesday that Andrew Luck will be the first pick in this year’s NFL draft, confirming wide speculation that the team would take the Stanford quarterback.

Colts head coach Chuck Pagano said that Luck will join the offseason program after his June 7 graduation.

Luck is considered by many to be the most polished college quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning, the legend he will replace in Indy.

Luck turned down the possible chance to be the top pick in last year’s draft, returning to Stanford to finish his degree.

The team is not expected to finalize a contract with Luck before the draft, which begins Thursday, NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reported last week.

Rookie pool numbers aren’t yet known, and so negotiating a contract would be “quite difficult,” a source involved in the process told La Canfora.

The Colts brought in Luck for a private workout earlier in the month, which they did not do with Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, whom the Washington Redskins will likely choose with the second-overall pick.

Luck threw for 3,517 yards and 37 touchdowns with 10 interceptions in his final season at Stanford.

WRITTEN BY  Albert Breer - Follow Albert Breer on Twitter @AlbertBreer & FULL STORY HERE