tout (someone or something) as
To describe, proclaim, or promote someone or something as being some ideal or beneficial type of person or thing. Often used in passive constructions. Anyone who touts a natural supplement as being some kind of miracle cure is conning you. The young quarterback is already being touted as the next John Elway.
tout someone or something as something
to present someone or something as a beneficial type of person or something. Joel touted his candidate as the best of all. Ann touted her medicine as a cure-all.
tout as
v. To promote or praise someone or something by comparing them to some ideal: The press is touting the young basketball player as the next Michael Jordan.