ASHLAND — Four outstanding seasons as a member of the Southern Oregon University football team should have provided some sense of comfort to Dusty McGrorty, but these days he’s feeling as out of place as a 6-foot kindergartner.

The All-American tailback is one of three Raiders who may get their name called in this weekend’s NFL draft, which begins at 9 a.m. today, and that prospect is bringing out a side in the Warrenton native few have ever seen.

"I’m just really nervous right now," says McGrorty. "I know something’s going to happen this weekend, I’m just not sure what it will be."

The same goes for wide receiver Andrae Thurman and punter Steve Baker, who each transferred to SOU after Division I stints at Arizona and Arizona State, respectively.

"I’m certainly rooting for all three of those guys," says SOU head coach Jeff Olson. "It could be an exciting weekend for them, and one that’s well-deserved. I think all three guys are going to have a shot at getting into an NFL camp."

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None of the three Raiders expects to hear his name called in today’s opening two rounds at Madison Square Garden in New York, but Rounds 3-7 on Sunday will have their full attention.

Only eight SOU players have been drafted into the NFL in school history, with the last being All-American linebacker Andy Katoa, who was a ninth-round selection by San Diego in 1990. The last Raider to make his way to an NFL training camp was All-American tailback Griff Yates, who was one of the last players cut in the 2000 San Francisco camp.

"It certainly is not my goal to get kids in the NFL," says Olson, "but if it happens, we can say regardless of where you play, if you’re good enough then you’re going to get that kind of recognition."

McGrorty says Detroit and St. Louis have shown the most interest in him, each vowing to bring him to training camp as either a late-round selection or undrafted free agent.

"Both teams are kinda looking for a bigger tailback that could block but also could catch the ball out of the backfield," says the 6-foot, 228-pounder. "And after they caught it, they wanted their fullback to be able to run with it more like a tailback."

Olson says he’s fielded phone calls from Detroit running backs coach Tom Rathman and St. Louis running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery in the past few weeks, and both believe McGrorty could be a fine fit at fullback despite his inexperience at that position.

"(Rathman) said right now Dusty’s their No. 1 prospect at fullback," says Olson. "He said he feels confident Dusty can do the job and that they’re not afraid to take a small college player."

Last year, the Lions brought in undrafted free agent Casey FitzSimmons from Carroll College, and not only did the NAIA standout make the team, he started 11 of 16 games at tight end and finished his rookie campaign with 23 receptions and two touchdowns.

Making fullback an even more pressing issue for the Lions is the fact that Cory Schlesinger (6-0, 247), entering his 10th year in the NFL from Nebraska, has expressed a desire to retire after the 2004-05 season. The only other fullback on the roster is Stephen Trejo (6-2, 254), who was been more of a special teams standout thanks to his background as linebacker at Arizona State.

"According to Rathman, they love Dusty’s running style and his hands," says Olson. "After looking at him in workouts and on film, they think he could be the guy to take over there at fullback once (Schlesinger) retires."

Olson says Montgomery told him Monday that the Rams have similar feelings about McGrorty. St. Louis doesn’t utilize a fullback in its standard offensive package, but on occasion will utilize halfback Joey Goodspeed or bigger tailback Lamar Gordon in a two-back set with Marshall Faulk.

All of the aforementioned is contingent on McGrorty being able to handle a move to fullback after a career in which he set 10 school and eight regional records. He finished with 5,414 career rushing yards (No. 4 all-time among NAIA players), 75 rushing TDs (No. 1 all-time) and 474 points (No. 2 all-time).

"I’m willing to do whatever they want me to do," says McGrorty, who played fullback at the Blue Gray All-Star Classic.

"I never expected to be in the place I am right now coming out of little Warrenton High," he adds. "I actually never thought I’d start in college, let alone break the records I did, so I’m having a hard time even dealing with everything going on right now."

Thurman is the most likely Raider to be drafted Sunday, with the speedy receiver telling Olson a month ago that Oakland and Dallas have been the most aggressive in pursuit of his services.

"Wherever Andrae goes, he said it’ll probably be in the fourth or fifth round," says Olson.

Thurman was a leading receiver for Arizona in three years with the Wildcats and, after transferring last summer to SOU, led the Raiders and finished fifth in the NAIA for receptions per game (6.9) to go with a 105-yard game receiving average.

Baker spent two seasons with the Raiders after kicking for the Sun Devils, earning NAIA All-American status each season. The left-footer led the NAIA with a 43.8 punting average last season and notched three field goals and was 30 of 34 in extra-point attempts.

Olson says Buffalo and New England have each expressed interest in using their last draft pick on Baker or signing him as a free agent. Baker recently moved to Denver to hone his skills with older brother John Baker, who kicked in the NFL for two years but is transitioning into life as a sports agent.

Sunday’s final rounds of the NFL draft begin at 8 a.m. on ESPN, then move to ESPN2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail khenry@mailtribune.com