The NFL draft is unpredictable at best, but Willie Ponder is optimistic he will be included in this weekend's seven-round affair.
No, Ponder hasn't been invited to the draft party at New York's Madison Square Garden. And he doubts he'll have his name called Saturday, when the first three rounds are held.
But Southeast Missouri State University's record-setting wide receiver is on the radar screen of NFL teams and figures to have a solid chance of being selected Sunday when the draft concludes with rounds four through seven.
"From the people I've talked to, I think I've got a pretty good chance," Ponder said. "It just depends on what teams need, but I think somebody is going to take me."
Ponder, 6-feet-1 and 205 pounds, had the college statistics to warrant serious draft consideration when he put up eye-opening numbers during his two seasons at Southeast.
A native of Tulsa, Okla., who began his college career at Division I-A Tulsa and later attended Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, Ponder caught 157 passes for 2,543 yards and 26 touchdowns at Southeast.
After catching 70 passes for 1,090 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior, Ponder was even better last season with 87 receptions for 1,453 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was selected a first-team Division I-AA All-American by three different organizations.
Ponder, who helped lead the Indians to an 8-4 record -- their best since 1969 -- last year, finished his Southeast career with single-season receiving records for catches, yards and touchdowns. He also is the school's career record-holder for touchdown receptions.
"Willie just had an unbelievable career for us," Southeast coach Tim Billings said. "He was one of the best receivers in the country, no question."
Indians fans who saw the explosive Ponder make one spectacular catch after another knew he had pro potential. And Southeast assistant head coach and receivers coach Kip Shaw, who was largely responsible for bringing Ponder to Cape Girardeau, said Ponder did plenty during several recent campus workouts with NFL teams to warrant serious draft consideration.
According to Shaw, after having a rough initial workout with the Ravens, Ponder ran sub-4.4 times in the 40-yard dash for both the Packers and Titans.
"I think he was just nervous during his first workout. He probably tried to put too much pressure on himself," Shaw said. "But then he did great for the Packers and Titans. Both really like him."
Said Ponder, "I didn't do bad for the Ravens, but it was my first workout, and my times weren't as good. But as the workouts went on I got more comfortable."
After his campus workouts, Ponder visited five organizations -- the Titans, Bears, Giants, Jets and Chargers -- for individual workouts, physicals and meeting with coaches. Each organization is allowed to bring in only 20 players for visits prior to the draft.
"Over the last few days, a lot of other teams have been calling, making sure they've got my right phone number for draft day," Ponder said. "So that's a good sign."
Ponder, who said his ability to perform on special teams could also help his stock, plans to spend this weekend with family and friends at home in Tulsa.
"We're not going to have a party, just keep it calm like the laid-back person I am," Ponder said. "I'm not nervous, but I'm ready to go and get it over with."
Said Shaw, who plans to be in Tulsa with Ponder this weekend, "I really think he's got a good chance to be drafted. He's not only a great player but a super young man with a lot of character."
Even if Ponder is not drafted, he almost certainly will be invited to an NFL training camp as a free agent. That's why Ponder doesn't plan to get too high or too low no matter what happens this weekend.
"A lot of teams have told me even if I don't get drafted, they'd love to have me in camp," he said. "I'm confident I'll be playing in the NFL next year."
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