Polic: 'Very Excited' for NFL; Draft Was 'Nerve-Wracking'

Newly-signed Houston Texans center/offensive lineman Graham Pocic, a graduate of Lemont High School and the University of Illinois, said watching the NFL draft was "nerve-wracking," and that his disappointment at not being selected quickly turned to excitement when he signed with the Texans shortly afterwards, in an interview with the Suburban Life.

"Probably the biggest thing when you are undrafted," he told the paper, "is looking for the best opportunity to go in and make the team, make the 53-man roster. In talking with the Texans, they don't have a back-up center. The O-line coach made it clear to me that I could come in and be a back-up right away."

According to the paper, Pocic, who had surgery on a torn labrum in December, is currently training in Lemont and will head for Texans rookie camp on May 9. The six-foot, 310-pound center and right tackle played in 46 games at the University of Illinois, and helped take the Lemont Indians to the state finals in 2007.

Now it's up to me to prove that I can play the position and be a valuable bench guy for the team. It's a great opportunity for me."

Currently training in Lemont, Pocic will head to the team's rookie camp on May 9. By that time, he will be virtually back to 100-percent after having his torn labrum repaired in December.

"Now it's up to me to prove that I can play the position and be a valuable bench guy for the team. It's a great opportunity for me," Pocic told the paper. "I'm just very excited. It's something I've worked towards for so long and it's an opportunity that not many people get to do.

"It's definitely an honor to sign an NFL contract."

Read the full interview at the Suburban Life website.