Burleson leads Nevada players in front of NFL scouts

RENO -- Mackay Stadium felt a lot more comfortable for Nevada wide receiver Nate Burleson than the RCA Dome did. Burleson, who gave up his final year of eligibility to enter next month's NFL draft, and several of his teammates worked out in front of eight NFL scouts on Thursday at the University of Nevada.

Tight end Erick Streelman and linemen Cody Johnson are two other Wolf Pack players with a chance to get drafted in April. Burleson, though, is Nevada's one sure bet.

"It's a lot different (than the NFL combine)," said Burleson, who led the nation in receptions last season and came close to breaking the NCAA's all-time mark. "This a lot more relaxed, not as many scouts or pressure."

In the 40-meter dash, Burleson ran a 4.52 at the NFL combine, which was held Feb. 18-24 in Indianapolis. On Thursday, he ran a 4.46, but that time might have been wind-aided. Human error could also have been a factor because hand stop watches were used as compared to electronic timers at the NFL combine. In yesterday's format, Streelman also saw an improved 40 time, logging a 4.9 as compared to a 5.06 in Indianapolis.

Burleson, who was one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, awarded to the nation's top receiver, only participated in the 40-meter dash yesterday. He also ran some routes and caught passes from former Hug High and Boise State quarterback Bart Hendricks.

Almost a dozen other Wolf Pack players underwent various speed, agility and strength exercises for the scouts, two of which were from the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders. At the NFL combine, Burleson had a vertical leap of 42.5 inches, the highest of any wideout there.

"It's a trip all the stuff they want you to do," Burleson said. "I'm starting to get used to it now. They treat us like cattle but I understand why. They're going to invest a lot of money into us and they need to know what they're getting in return. I can't blame them."

Draft prognosticators have Burleson being drafted anywhere from the second to the fifth round. However, it doesn't matter to Burleson, who has added 12-15 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-2 frame, mostly in his upper body. He just wants to play football. According to Burleson, the Atlanta Falcons have expressed the most interest in him, although he mentioned that might not mean much since they just signed former Buffalo Bill wideout Peerless Price.

"I've heard anywhere from early second (round) to early third. It's tough to say. I really don't know," Burleson said. "I'm just trying to wait patiently but it (the draft) can't get here soon enough. I feel like the NFL is a house that's always been out there and I've just been waiting to get in. I'm getting close. Now I'm trying to kick in the door."

Burleson signed with agent Jack Scharf of the San Antonio-based Momentum Sports Group. The agency's two biggest names are Seattle Supersonics forward Desmond Mason and the Houston Astro's Lance Berkman, whose father, Larry, owns the company.

The first three wide receivers expected to be taken in the draft are Michigan State's Charles Rogers, Miami (Fla.) wideout Andre Johnson and Tennessee speedster Kelly Washington. Stanford's Teyo Johnson is a hybrid but is expected be drafted after Washington. A tight end in college, Johnson could be a wide receiver in the NFL and, at 6-foot-6, he's sure to create match-up problems.

The 6-foot-6 Streelman has a chance to get drafted in the late rounds but will most likely be signed as a free agent, which is also the probable outcome for the 6-foot-4, 280 pound Johnson.