Dan McCarney knows Tim Dobbins will hear his name called during this weekend’s NFL draft.

The only thing the Cyclone coach doesn’t know is when.

“It’s hard to tell,” McCarney said of Dobbins’ draft stock. “He’s going to be drafted. I know that.”

Dobbins spent the last two seasons anchoring the ISU football team’s linebacking corps, leading the team in tackles in 2005.

He came to Iowa State from junior college, making his mark immediately on the field.

Dobbins recorded 63 tackles during his junior season and came back the next year to make 103 stops.

It’s his knack for making plays that McCarney said makes Dobbins an attractive prospect for NFL teams.

“He’s physical; he’s fast,” McCarney said. “He can improve and he’s coachable. He’s a guy that can bring a hat and knock a ball loose.

“I thought he improved immensely between his junior and senior years in pass coverage. That’s something that’s so important. You have to cover a lot of space and do it against some real fast athletes.”

ESPN draft expert Todd McShay predicted Dobbins will be selected early in the fifth round.

“He is still a bit raw and must improve his ability to take on and disengage from blocks in order to compete for playing time as a two-down linebacker in the NFL,” according to Scout.com’s draft analysis.

“Dobbins has enough upside in terms of size and speed to develop into an effective situational linebacker and special teams contributor in the NFL.”

Deep snapper Landon Schrage also has a chance to hear his name called by and NFL team on draft day.

Schrage has some of the quickest snapping times, making his special teams skills something professional squads are coveting.

“He’s unbelievably important [to a team], and that’s why I know he’s going to get a chance,” McCarney said. “If he doesn’t get drafted, he’s going to have a lot of calls. Anyone who needs an outstanding snapper – not just a good one, an outstanding one – is going to be calling Landon.”

A strong deep snapper is a hot commodity.

“You have to have one,” he said. “Who the hell doesn’t punt? Everybody does. You have to have one who [snaps] fast and accurately, and he can sure do that.”

McCarney said several other former Cyclones will have a chance to sign free-agent contracts, although they may not be drafted.

Defensive lineman Nick Leaders, safety Steve Paris and cornerback LaMarcus Hicks are the most likely Cyclones to have a chance to land a spot on an NFL team.

Although they will most likely go undrafted, the players’ careers are by no means over.

To McCarney, it doesn’t matter when you are drafted or sign with a team, but what organization the player ends up in.

“Don’t get your shorts in a bunch; don’t get too excited,” McCarney said. “It’s not a matter of when, it’s where.

“Don’t worry about when you go. It’s a lot more about where you’re going and about that team, their program and staff. There are all kinds of free agents who have jobs in the NFL, and there are a whole bunch of high draft picks who are out of work now. That’s the attitude you have to have going in there.”