Saturday morning will be filled with nervous energy for many future National League Football prospects but not for three players from Eastern Illinois University whose future will start to take shape on Monday.
Saturday starts the two-day frenzy at New York's famed Radio City Music Hall in which the NFL holds is annual draft of top players. Already working on a contract to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Miami Dolphins is University of Michigan offensive lineman Jake Long.
Other players in attendance that will not have to wait long to hear their names called are LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, Virginia defensive end Chris Long or Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan.
Rucker is considered the best NFL prospect on this year's team and he thinks that he most likely will be a 6th or 7th round selection based on team's needs.
He has had interest from the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers are his NFL combine numbers rated among the best for wide receivers this season. Instead of watching and waiting, Rucker said he will most likely cook out with friends.
A two-year starter at EIU, Rucker is rated 61st by one NFL scouting service among wide receiver prospects and No. 479 overall. The only problem in the NFL draft only selects 252 players.
During his EIU career Rucker was a third team All-American catching 104 passes for 1,743 yards and 22 touchdowns.
While getting drafted can help define your ability to negotiate a contract it by no means solidifies your chances at success in the NFL.
Some of Eastern Illinois most notable success stories have come via the free agent route which players can begin signing one the draft ends on Sunday night. Current Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo was signed as a free agent as were Green Bay Packers defensive lineman John Jurkovic and former NFL All-Pro punter Jeff Gossett.
All told EIU has only had ten players selected in the NFL draft. The first was Bill Glenn in 1941, who was drafted in the 19th round by the Chicago Bears. The most recent EIU draft pick was corner back Chris Watson drafted in the 3rd round by the Denver Broncos in 1999.
With Rucker having a chance to hear his phone ring late on Sunday, Thomas and Adeniji will probably be on the phone on Monday to plan their opportunities into pro football.
Thomas, the 2006 OVC Defensive Player of the Year, has talked to a few teams with the Indianapolis Colts showing the most interest. A quick, undersized linebacker, Thomas has been compared to current NFL player London Fletcher.
Adeniji could be an unexpected dark horse as a free agent as he earned first team All-OVC honors as a senior rushing for 1,254 yards and 15 touchdowns. He finished the season carried most of the load for EIU averaging nearly 27 carries and 146 yards per game over the final seven contests.
His greatest asset may be his desire to play special teams. In addition to carrying the football for the season, Adeniji also played on special teams often times on the kick off coverage team following a Panther touchdown.
So as the cameras from ESPN and the NFL Network watch as players futures ebb and flow with every spot meaning less room for contract negotiations, three players from Eastern Illinois will enjoy their last weekend's as undergraduate college students surrounded by friends. Each knowing that based on their ability, desire and heart all they need is a chance and a phone call on Monday to continue pursuing their NFL dream.
