This is one in a series of stories leading up to the NFL draft, which starts Saturday.

Most young boys grow up dreaming of the NFL from the time they are playing in Pop Warner leagues.

Not Auburn guard Ben Grubbs.

He didn't even begin playing the game until he was a freshman at Elmore County High School in Eclectic, Ala.

"I was a late bloomer, really," Grubbs said. "I came to Auburn, and it was a tough road at first. I came in on defense, got moved to tight end and then to the offensive line. I was like, 'I can be pretty good at this.'

"I had (NFL) aspirations, but I was just starting out. I didn't realize how good I could be. I couldn't see that far down the road. My first goal was just to go to college, then once I got to college, I was trying to get to the NFL."

Grubbs should realize those late-arriving aspirations this weekend. He emerged as one of the premiere offensive linemen in the country, earning All-Southeastern Conference first team honors. He's projected to be drafted either late in the first round or early in the second round in Saturday's 2007 NFL draft.

"I had a great season," Grubbs said. "That really did it for me. Also, I did well at the combine and on pro day. That was just icing on the cake."

Grubbs has heard the projections, but tries not to get too caught up in it. He'll return home to Eclectic and watch the draft Saturday with his family. In the meantime, he's trying to calm his nerves and not worry about the projections.

"Sometimes one guy says this and one says that," Grubbs said. "It's real inconsistent. I'm just hoping for the best. I don't get on the Internet and see where I'm at or sit around watching ESPN, but friends and family tell me what they've heard."

Nervous reaction

Grubbs, a 6-foot-3, 311-pounder, said he knows he's going to be nervous this weekend, waiting on a call from a team.

"I just don't want to have to wait," Grubbs said. "It's the anticipation. It's driving me crazy. I thought about not watching it, just waiting for the phone call. I might just go to sleep; something to keep me from going crazy."

Grubbs won't be the only Auburn player sitting around waiting to hear their name called. Running back Kenny Irons and receiver Courtney Taylor could also hear their names on the first day, as could David Irons. Several other players, like Tim Duckworth, Will Herring, Jonathan Palmer, Karibi Dede, Marquies Gunn, Kevin Sears, Kody Bliss, Matt Clark and John Vaughn could be late-round picks or free-agent acquisitions.

Character

In light of so many news stories regarding misconduct by NFL players, Grubbs knows he can stand apart.

He's spent the last month in personal meetings with team representatives and is confident he presented himself well.

"My coaches talk great about me, but people want to see me face-to-face, talk to me, look into my eyes," Grubbs said. "Those are the reasons I shot up. Nowadays, it's not enough to be a good player. They want to know how you act off the field. You're the image for the organization."

Grubbs is the real deal in that regard. He's quiet and mannerly, inspiring the trust and confidence of his teammates with his work ethic and abilities.

"My mom and my family really instilled good morals and values," Grubbs said. "I just tell them I'm being me. No show or act, just a quiet person. I want to be a good person. When I'm done with football, I want my name to be talked about as a good person and player."

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