Wildcat goes in 3rd round

Not wanting to get caught up in the hype surrounding the NFL Draft, Weber State's Paul McQuistan gathered himself, his twin brother and a few friends and spent most of the morning "taking in some sun" at Willard Bay.

A few hours of fishing, talking and relaxing was followed by a trip to fellow Wildcat all-American Brady Fosmark's home, where McQuistan patiently watched and waited for his cell phone to ring.

That ring came with the fifth selection of the third round, 69th overall, and McQuistan became a member of the Oakland Raiders.

Not a bad early birthday present. McQuistan turns 23 today.

The big redhead may end up joining a Raiders team that is trying to return to the playoffs and recently rehired Art Shell as the head coach. Though he played tackle at Weber State, McQuistan might be moved to guard as the Raiders best try to utilize his skills.

A 6-foot-6, 312-pounder, McQuistan didn't get much feedback from the Raiders after the draft combine. So when he found out he was headed to Oakland, he was a little surprised.

"I didn't talk to them at all after the combine," he said. "So they weren't a team that I thought was really that interested in me. But I guess I made a pretty good impression."

McQuistan made a good impression on plenty of people. Despite playing at a I-AA school, McQuistan found his name near the top of several draft boards ranking offensive linemen.

Still, he didn't expect to be drafted on the first day.

"I went a little earlier than I thought I would," McQuistan said. "So, I'm pretty excited about it. I'll go out there on Thursday to meet with the team and have some interviews."

McQuistan was the only player from a Utah college selected during the first day of the draft. He is also the highest draft selection for a Weber State player since Scott Shields was taken in the second round (No. 59) by Pittsburgh in 1999.

His mother, grandmother, sister and a few friends were with him when he received the phone call from Oakland.

"They were excited," McQuistan said. "They didn't get too excited, but I guess you could say there was a sudden rush of emotion."

Before the NFL Draft rolled around, McQuistan was asked where he'd like to play professional football if it were up to him.

"I don't really care," the Weber State offensive tackle said. "I'll go wherever I get to play. But it'd be nice if it was in the West so my family could see me more."

Thanks to the Raiders, that will be possible.

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E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com