The Mecca of nearly every NFL fan approaches this weekend as football fans around the country crowd around the television, including senior Chad Nkang.

Nkang, along with LSU’s JaMarcus Russell and Georgia Tech’s Calvin Johnson, waits with extra anticipation as he waits for his name to be called.

“My heart is going to be beating out of my chest,” Nkang said. “I’m going to be so nervous and just looking at my phone constantly. It’s going to be a nail biter on that day. It’s more stressful than any game I’ve ever played.”

While Nkang won’t hear his name as soon as Russell’s and Johnson’s, he still waits in anticipation.

Nkang is no longer Elon University’s starting middle linebacker. He is no longer a two-time All-American. He is no longer the three-time All-Conference player or the two-time national leader in tacklers. He is now only a potential draftee, but the first Elon has had in almost two decades.

The last time an Elon player graced an NFL field and made an impact for an NFL team was Joey Hackett, who played with the Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers from 1986 to 1988.

“It feels good to show that Elon puts out athletes,” Nkang said.

In March, Nkang competed in the NFL scouting combine alongside some of the best linebackers and athletes in the country. Nkang finished at the top in nearly every scouting test including a 4.51 in the 40-yard-dash, which he improved to a 4.41 at Elon’s pro-day only weeks later. A 4.41 places him as one of the fastest linebackers in the country, an asset he will have to use at the next level because of his size.

“The teams that have moved to the smaller, faster linebackers need guys like me, great athletes but undersized,” Nkang said. “It gives an opportunity to get out there and show Division I-AA players can play.”

Because of his size, NFL scouts have compared him to Cato June, the Michigan graduate who recently helped the Indianapolis Colts win a Super Bowl. June’s 6 feet, 227 pound frame, compares exactly with Nkang’s 6 feet 1 inch, 218 pound build.

“Ten years from now I want the next linebacker to come out to be compared to Chad Nkang,” Nkang said. “I want to make a name for myself, but I’m glad they compared me to someone that good and of that caliber.”

The Colts, Buccaneers and Jaguars are just a few of the teams that run the defense; Nkang would fit right in.

“They’ve all contacted me and my agent to try and get numbers so I can get in contact on draft day,” Nkang said.

“I don’t have a preference on a team,” Nkang said. “I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. I just want to go to a team that can use me and give me a good opportunity to get on the field.”

After three years as a college linebacker, Nkang may have to change positions to strong safety or middle linebacker.

“No one thought I could switch from a defensive back to a fullback,” Nkang said. The next year I moved from outside linebacker to inside linebacker. I think the transition will be alright for me.”

Nkang played safety in high school and fullback in his freshman year at Elon, before former coach Paul Hamilton switched Nkang back to defense.

He will most likely be forced to shine on special teams before getting his chance on defense. But this is no game for Nkang; this is his once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Managing Editor: Justin Hite - Photos: Marty Callinan 04/26/07