by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
Hank Baskett hasn't been watching ESPN, reading the online mock drafts, or paying attention to any other news about this weekend's NFL Draft.
The former UNM star wide receiver has done everything in his power to affect how high he will get drafted. From now until the draft on Saturday, Baskett is going to relax and enjoy the moment when it arrives.
"I'm a little anxious, but I've been doing enough things to keep my mind off of it," Baskett said. "I know it's coming no matter what, so I'm not even thinking about it."
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ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. projects Baskett will be chosen on the second day by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round with the 127th overall pick.
Baskett may not be paying attention to that prediction, but it's safe to say that his stock has risen since his performance at the NFL Combine in late February - an event in which college players participate in drills to showcase their talent for general managers and coaches. Expected to run a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash, Baskett surprised some by running a 4.49. Baskett said that time opened some scouts' and coaches' eyes that maybe weren't looking at him before.
"It helped a lot with my confidence," Baskett said. "A lot of the teams looked at that and saw that I was faster than some people thought. It feels good to prove people wrong."
While Baskett has been trying to avoid the pressure that comes with waiting for the draft, he said he is thrilled about the opportunity he might get.
"As kids, we all thought about playing in the NFL," he said. "We never thought about all this NFL Draft stuff. It's pretty stressful, but it's definitely a dream come true."
One of the positives that scouts have noted about Baskett is his physique. At 6 feet 4 inches and 220 pounds, he has the size of a tight end to go along with the speed of a receiver. Baskett said his large frame combined with his quickness should be able to help him adjust faster to the NFL.
"It will definitely help me," Baskett said. "It will give me an advantage over corners and DBs, so that helps out a lot. Size is always an intimidation factor."
Baskett said there are so many scenarios being presented by draft experts that he has not tried to predict in what round he will get drafted.
"I don't know that," he said. "Nobody knows that. All these analysts think they know it, but they don't. The teams are the only ones that know."
One of the teams that has shown some interest in him is the Eagles, he said. Baskett said the team flew him to Philadelphia where he met some coaches and players.
"I had lunch with Donovan McNabb (the Eagles quarterback)," he said. "That was an experience. He's a character. He's always joking around and laughing."
Baskett said he has no preference for what team drafts him. He said he'll be happy wherever he ends up playing.
"Whoever picks me is the team I want to play for," Baskett said. "No matter where I go, I'm looking forward to making some big-time plays and catches."
While Baskett has been keeping himself distracted in the days leading up the draft, he admits it is a big deal. He said he is lucky to have the opportunity to have his name called out in front of his family, friends and fans.
"It's going to be awesome," Baskett said. "It's a feeling that I couldn't possibly describe right now. It's going to be something I've never felt before."
