Years of hard work and preparation will be showcased this weekend with the NFL’s annual draft, and three former Cyclone football players — Ellis Hobbs, Tyson Smith and Cale Stubbe — will be waiting to hear their names called.

ISU coach Dan McCarney said he is hopeful all three players will get a shot in the league.

“We’re just hoping and praying that if they don’t get drafted, and that is a possibility, that they’ll at least get an opportunity as a free agent,” he said. “I think that’s very realistic that they’ll get a chance and that’s what you hope and pray for if you don’t get drafted — just get an opportunity to go to a camp.”

Ellis Hobbs, CB,

5’9″, 192 lbs., 4.5 40

“You can call it a lifelong dream, but I see it as more of a thing as my destiny,” Hobbs said. “It was a thing where I always envisioned playing in the NFL. It was just a matter of me getting it and what would it take and the choices I would make.”

The cornerback was the heart of the Cyclone defense. In his senior season, he led the secondary with five interceptions and ranked third on the team with 71 tackles. Hobbs was a first-team all-Big 12 selection by both the league’s coaches and the Associated Press.

After his junior year, McCarney said he didn’t think Hobbs would get drafted and would probably sign to a pro team as a free agent. A solid senior campaign has led to Hobbs’ stock going skyward.

“When they start flying you in the last week before the draft, you can’t do anything physical then, but they just bring you in and interview you and get a better feel,” McCarney said.

“Those teams are usually pretty serious about you, and Ellis has been on the plane a lot the last couple of weeks.”

All of the traveling, changing time zones, mixed-up schedules and long hours have taken their toll physically on Hobbs, but he said he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s a long a process,” he said. “But it’s a process that I wouldn’t trade for anything because there’s always somebody out there that wants my spot and they would love to be in the situation I’m in.”

Hobbs said he doesn’t know where he’ll end up. Many teams have shown interest, but there could also be teams out there lurking quietly.

“Everybody out there tries to get you for the lowest dollar possible,” he said. “My job is to show people why they should pay top dollar for me. Any time I can go out there and show them what’s up, that’s what I try to do. I really couldn’t tell you who’s more interested than others.

“All I know is that they’re all there and on Saturday or Sunday, I could expect a call from anybody.”

McCarney said the bottom line is Hobbs will get an opportunity.

“If I was a betting man, which I’m not, I’d sure bet on Ellis Hobbs being on one of those rosters when the NFL season starts next fall,” McCarney said.

Tyson Smith, DE,

6’2″, 240 lbs., 4.81 40

After three strong seasons for the Cyclones, Smith entered 2003 as a pre-season Street and Smith’s honorable mention All-American, and in the opening drives of Iowa State’s season opener against Northern Iowa, he looked like one. The defensive end had registered eight tackles before breaking his leg and ending his year.

Even after the injury, he said he never thought a future in the NFL was in doubt.

“A lot of teams call and ask about my medical history just to see if I’ve recovered,” he said.

“I knew it was going to take a long time to get ready, but it’s finally here.”

Smith returned to the field in 2004 after a medical redshirt season. Before spring drills, he was switched from defensive end to linebacker, and he said the benefits from the move are still being seen.

“[It shows] I’m versatile and I can pick things up,” he said.

The move was also beneficial for the Cyclones, as Smith tallied 51 tackles and five sacks in his return season.

Teams from as far away as Carolina, Seattle and Philadelphia and as close as Kansas City and Indianapolis have shown interest in Smith.

“Right now, I’m projected to go in the second day sometime,” Smith said.

“But if I don’t get drafted, I’m sure I’ll get invited to a camp somewhere.”

Smith said he hasn’t been worried, but is just trying to get to the next level and go from there.

“I’ve got a lot of people asking me, ‘What’s going on, what’s the deal?'” he said. “People are thinking about it more than I am. I really haven’t been nervous.”

Cale Stubbe, OL,

6’3-3/8″, 298 lbs., 5.43 40

Stubbe began his ISU career on the opposite side of the ball from where he finished. After being a two-year starter at linebacker for Cedar Falls High School, Stubbe came to Iowa State where he continued playing defense for the Cyclones. It wasn’t until the beginning of spring football in 2002 that Stubbe moved to the offensive line and found his home at left tackle.

Now that he is only hours away from draft day, Stubbe said the excitement is building.

“That’s really little kid’s dream to play in the NFL,” he said. “So I’ve always thought about it and always wanted to do it. I don’t know if I ever really knew I was going to get the chance, but I always hoped that it would happen.”

A long list of teams, including Minnesota, Denver, Jacksonville and Atlanta have shown interest in Stubbe, who has spent the winter months in the weight room.