FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Former Northern Arizona running back Alex Henderson will be watching the NFL Draft that started Thursday and runs through Saturday with interest, hoping to get a chance to continue his career in the professional ranks.

Henderson, who is from Calabasas, Calif., is projected as high as a late round pick and will be a top candidate for a free agent deal with a team. He is ranked as the 36th-best running back prospect by NFLdraftscout.com and was listed among "10 real no-names I'm high on" according to Peter Schrager of Foxsports.com.

“I am extremely excited,” said Henderson. “It is probably the most I have ever been exciting. I am hoping for the best and praying.”

Current NAU assistant coach Francis St. Paul was the last NAU player taken in the NFL Draft in the sixth round by the St. Louis Rams in 2001. Raymond Perryman was also taken in 2001 in the fifth round by the Oakland Raiders.

Henderson, who has heard from six teams via his agent, said he will likely not watch the draft but will make sure his phone is on.

“I am hoping Saturday will be a real big day for me, hopefully one of the biggest of my life,” said Henderson.

Since 2000, eight NAU players have signed free agent contracts with NFL teams highlighted Keith O'Neil with the Dallas Cowboys in 2003. O'Neil played five seasons in the NFL and was a member of the Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl champion team in 2007. K.J. Gerard is the only current former player in the league after signing with the Baltimore Ravens last season. Gerard played in three games last season after spending some time on the practice squad. Former kicker Robbie Dehaze recently signed with Toronto in the CFL.

Henderson, who graduated in December, finished his career as one of the top running backs in school history, ranking second in school history with 3,462 career rushing yards and second in rushing attempts with 677. He was a three-time All-Big Sky selection, earning All-Big Sky first-team honors in 2009.

Since the inception of the NFL Draft in 1936, 37 Lumberjacks have been drafted by NFL teams. The first NAU player drafted by a NFL club was Vince Cisterna, was a ninth round selection by the New York Giants in the 1950 draft. NAU's top NFL draftee was wide receiver Shawn Collins, who was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, in the first round of the 1989 NFL draft. The NFL has selected a total 21 offensive players and 13 defensive and three specialists from NAU.

Henderson ran a 4.40 40-yard dash into the wind at his pro day on March 25. He also ran a 4.28 in the shuttle, posted a 37.5-inch vertical and a 9-9.5 standing long jump and recorded 19 reps of 225 pounds in the bench. Henderson trained in New Jersey at the Parisi Speed School, a facility that has sent more than 125 athletes to the NFL.

NAU Free Agent Signees Since 2000

Preston Parsons, Arizona Cardinals, 2002

Robert Haws, Arizona Cardinals, 2002

Keith O'Neil, Dallas Cowboys, 2003

Mark Gould, New York Giants, 2004

Jeremy Thornburg, Philadelphia Eagles, 2005

Roger Robinson, Arizona Cardinal, 2005

K.J. Gerard, Baltimore Ravens, 2008

Robbie Dehaze, Atlanta Falcons, 2008