One might consider Seppo Evwaraye an NFL Draft aficionado.

Each of the past three springs, he watched draft drama unfold on television with Nebraska football teammate Le Kevin Smith. Evwaraye liked seeing who went where, the trades, the climactic moments.

“We always kicked around the idea of getting drafted ourselves,” Evwaraye said Monday.

The 6-foot-5, 330-pound Evwaraye, an offensive lineman, won’t watch the draft with Smith this weekend. But both will be watching intently and hoping that this time they’ll be part of the drama. Rounds 1-3 will be Saturday in New York, followed by rounds 4-7 Sunday.

If Evwaraye gets drafted, he thinks it will occur Sunday.

“If it happened Saturday, I’d throw a big party,” he said. “I think the only guy from our (2005 Nebraska team) who’ll go on Saturday is Daniel Bullocks.”

Indeed, Bullocks, a safety, has watched his stock rise significantly thanks in part to a strong Senior Bowl in January followed by an excellent performance at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. Other former Huskers in the draft picture include running back Cory Ross, punter Sam Koch, and defensive tackles Titus Adams and Smith.

Evwaraye understands he might have to wait until the final few rounds to be selected. He doesn’t mind. As a typical college student, Evwaraye said, he is low on funds and could use the $40,000-$50,000 approximate signing bonus for seventh-round selections.

“For a guy like me, that’ll get me through the next few months, at least,” said Evwaraye, who made 20 straight starts as a tackle in 2004 and 2005 before being forced from the starting lineup late last season by stress fractures in both feet.

Evwaraye said he has recovered well from the foot problems. On March 8 in Lincoln, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.95 seconds and recorded a 27½-inch vertical leap in front of NFL scouts. He’s highly regarded for his size, athleticism and work ethic. He’s regarded as something of a “project” because he spent his first three college seasons on defense.

However, the fact Evwaraye can play either tackle or guard helps his draft stock.

Initially skeptical about his chances of being drafted, Evwaraye has been encouraged in recent days, as about 10 teams have called to verify how to reach him during the draft and to make sure he could attend a mini-camp in May.

Ross also has received such calls.

“I’m just ready to see where I end up at,” Ross said.

The 5-6, 200-pound Ross has had individual workouts with three teams — Indianapolis, Chicago and Baltimore. The Ravens came to Lincoln and watched Ross and Koch simultaneously, monitoring how well Ross caught punts and kickoffs.

“(The coach) wanted to make sure I could do it,” Ross said. “I caught everything.”

Several 2005 Nebraska seniors, including offensive lineman Brandon Koch, have prepared for the end of their playing careers. Koch, a two-year Husker starter at guard, said Monday he has been contacted by a couple of teams for draft-day contact information. However, if Koch gets a shot, it’ll probably be as a free agent.

“Scouts basically know everything they need to know about you — they’ve been around all year,” he said. “The bottom line is, if they want you, they’re going to take you.”

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.