For DeVonte Peterson and Radell Lockhart, this weekend is the start of the rest of their football careers.
The NFL Draft is today and Sunday and for the two Catawba College All-American defensive linemen, this is their shot at fame and some big bucks.
The first three rounds will be televised on Saturday. Joe Linta, the agent who represents the two, said if either is to be drafted, it will probably come Sunday in rounds 4-7.
Peterson has the best chance to hear his name called. He worked out for Miami last week and has heard from at least six teams on a regular basis, according to Linta, who is based in Connecticut.
“Kansas City has been on me the last two weeks about DeVonte,” Linta said by phone Friday evening.
Do either have a chance to be chosen?
“If a team drafts you, they want you,” Linta said. “For DeVonte and Radell, it’s 50-50, to be honest with you.”
But one thing Linta is sure of: both will be in a camp somewhere.
“The most important thing is to get to a place where you can make the team,” he said.
Peterson, out of Clinton High, and Lockhart, out of Charlotte Independence, signed on with Linta late and that hurt them somewhat. Linta had to really scramble to get their names out there.
“I believe in them,” said Linta. “When we sign someone, we ask, ‘Would we let him stay at our house or send them to a hotel?’ Well, I’d let either one babysit my kids. They’re sweethearts.
“Radell is quiet while DeVonte makes you think he’s going to run for mayor.”
While both have worked out for several teams, Linta has been worked over by NFL personnel who want to make sure they aren’t taking a player that won’t make it at that level.
They ask about Peterson’s injury, can Lockhart make it to 285 pounds ....
Besides the Catawba duo, he also represents former West Rowan and Lenoir-Rhyne player John Milem.
“We have 10 guys, all who might go in rounds 5-6-7,” Linta said.
So he’ll be a busy man this weekend too.
“Saturday night, I’ll go through a case of diet cokes, yell at my wife, you know, things like that,” he chuckled.
In other pro football notes from the area ...
Good news for Milem.
Linta said the 6-7, 280-pound stud is a starter on the San Francisco 49ers line in mini-camp, now that Anthony Pleasant has been released.
“With Milem, we knew he’d get drafted,” Linta remembers from last year’s draft. “It was just a matter of what round. A guy like him comes around once every 20 years or so.”
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Even better news for Shannon Myers.
The former North Rowan and Lenoir-Rhyne star is doing well with the Rhein Fire of the World League as a receiver and local fans can watch him today when the Fire meets Amsterdam.
FOX will carry the game at 1 p.m.
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