The record will show he was selected in the third round of the NFL draft as the second pick of the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.

But when the picks were tallied and all the selections were made, no one who heard their name called deserved it more than Ellis Hobbs III.

Look in a dictionary under the entry “leader,” and check out what is written.

1. One that leads or guides;

2. One who is in charge or in command of others;

3. Ellis Hobbs.

Coming off a 2-10 season in 2003 — their worst showing since 1997 — the upperclassmen of the ISU football team could have folded their tents, content with their previous two bowl appearances, which would have allowed them to go down as some of the most successful Cyclones in history.

They could have given up on a group of talented but inexperienced freshman, blaming youth for another season in the loss column.

But they didn’t. They burst doubters’ bubbles and brought ISU football surging toward prominence, earning a division championship and the second-best turnaround in all of major college football.

Hobbs was leading the charge.

It was Hobbs who led the team both on and off the field, helping the team win with his play on Saturdays, and keeping the group focused during the week.

He was the backbone of a superb defense that allowed just 208 yards per game, shutting down opponents until the Cyclones’ high-powered, yet schizophrenic offense could strike.

With both offense and defense working at its highest, the 2004 edition of the ISU football team was scary (see the first half of Nebraska’s second loss to the Cyclones in three years).

But when the offense wasn’t working (Baylor, Kansas, first half against Kansas State) it was a Hobbs-led defense that kept Iowa State in the game.

And when the Cyclone defense needed a big stop to secure victory — you guessed it, Hobbs was the one to step up.

With Iowa State clinging to slim leads against both Kansas and Miami of Ohio, Hobbs jumped in front of an intended receiver and recorded an interception to secure a Cyclone win.

This isn’t meant to discount the contributions of the rest of the ISU team. Brent Curvey, Nick Leaders, Eric Anderson, Tim Dobbins, Steve Paris, Nik Moser and the rest of the Cyclone defense worked together to set a standard they will be hard pressed to match this season.

But in a basket of sapphires, Hobbs was a diamond.

Now Hobbs heads to New England, a team full of leaders who have blended together to create a dynasty.

Although the Cyclone football team will keep ISU fans’ attentions on Saturdays, be prepared to turn on the TV on Sundays and see a familiar face.

Congratulations Ellis.