Zbikowski's wait ends early on Day 2

By MICHAEL MAROT, AP Sports Writer

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Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis and safety Tom Zbikowski

Note Dame coach Charlie Weis, left, hugs safety Tom Zbikowski following a 28-7 win over Duke in a college football game in South Bend, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

By Beth Boehne

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Tom Zbikowski took an unexpected punch Saturday night.

The Notre Dame safety, who also boxes professionally, thought he would be chosen on the first day of the NFL draft. Instead, he endured a sleepless night and a loss of appetite before things settled down Sunday morning when the Baltimore Ravens finally called in the third round.

"I didn't sleep the last couple of days, and I really didn't eat a lot, either," he said. "It's just a lot of anticipation, but I'm happy with where I ended up."

Zbikowski went from Illinois high school star to one of the nation's most tradition-rich football programs. There he emerged as a hard-hitting safety, and after his junior season was regarded as one of the nation's best safeties.

At that point, Zbikowski thought long and hard about leaving school early but eventually decided to return only to endure the first nine-loss season in Irish history, causing his stock to drop.

Still, Zbikowski thought he would be a first-day pick and was convinced even more after two of his college teammates, tight end John Carlson and defensive tackle Trevor Laws, went in the second round.

"I was definitely hoping for that," he said. "When you see some guys you've played with, and some guys you played with in the Senior Bowl go, you think it might happen to you."

About 16 hours later, Zbikowski got his wish when the Ravens took him with the 86th overall selection.

In between, Zbikowski began poring over the possibilities but never second-guessed his decision to play his final college season.

And now he's got a chance to be on one of the league's toughest and most physical defensive units, which includes two former NFL defensive players of the year, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.

"I feel like I can bring some of that intensity to the ballclub, and it's great getting to play with and learn from guys like Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, you can't beat that," he said.

Some players from Indiana schools had a short wait on Day 2 of the draft.

Zbikowski was taken with the 86th pick overall after Baltimore acquired the pick in a trade.

Six picks later, Purdue defensive end Cliff Avril went to Detroit after the Lions made a trade with Dallas to move one pick ahead of the Colts.

For others, the day lagged.

Avril's teammate, linebacker Stanford Keglar was taken in the fifth round, No. 134 overall, by the Tennessee Titans, and Notre Dame center John Sullivan lasted until the sixth round when Minnesota selected him at No. 187.

Five players from Indiana schools were chosen during the first two rounds Saturday.

Purdue tight end Dustin Keller was the only one selected in the first round. The New York Jets traded back into the first round to get him at No. 30.

In the second round, Notre Dame and Indiana University each had two players selected.

Carlson went to the Seattle Seahawks at No. 38. Indiana cornerback Tracy Porter was taken at No. 40 by his home state New Orleans Saints, and Hoosiers receiver James Hardy was taken 41st by the Buffalo Bills. Hardy, who left school a year early, was in tears after his selection.

"I couldn't stop crying," he told Buffalo reporters on a conference call Saturday. "I'm not a very emotional guy, but it's just something that's surreal. ... But at the same time, I'm ready to get to work tomorrow."

Laws rounded out the first-day selections, going to Philadelphia at No. 47.

But the second-day picks weren't the only ones with an anxious weekend.

"You're always anxious because you don't know where you'll end up," Porter said. "But when it happens, it's really a relief."

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