Hunter's reviews have been good

• 2003 mock NFL draft (graphic)

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Offensive lineman Wayne Hunter, right, has put his preparations for the NFL Draft in the hands of Leo Goeas, left. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser Wayne Hunter Position: Offensive tackle College: Hawai'i High school: Radford Height: 6 feet 5 1/2 Weight: 305 pounds Workout notes: 5.09 40-yard dash, 37 reps at 225 pounds, 31-inch vertical leap Comment: "He is one of the strongest players in this draft at any position, with unbelievable weight room strength. He runs in the 5.1 range, which is outstanding for someone that goes 305 pounds. He has very good feet, and his balance is excellent in pass protection. Hunter still has his best football in front of him. He'll get better as his technique improves." — Mel Kiper Jr., NFL draft expert Tomorrow: Despite being relatively small (6 feet, 225 pounds), UH linebacker Pisa Tinoisa-moa could be drafted as high as the second round.

Just take 6-foot-5 1/2, 305-pound Wayne Hunter, who converted to offensive tackle from defensive line last season for the University of Hawai'i football team. To him, tomorrow morning's first three rounds of the draft could just as well be Christmas.

"It's almost guaranteed I'm not going to get any sleep Friday night," Hunter said.

But there will be no presents to unwrap tomorrow. The gift is a phone call.

Since deciding to forgo his senior year with the Warriors in January, Hunter has been hunted by NFL scouts. They are intrigued by his athleticism, a prerequisite for an NFL left tackle, the lineman responsible for protecting a right-handed quarterback's blind side. The one counted on to neutralize the defense's most agile defensive end and other fleet-footed blitzing linebacker or defensive back.

"All the physical tools that you need to be a top lineman in the NFL, he has them all," said Leo Goeas, a former UH and San Diego Chargers offensive lineman. "What makes him special is he's so coachable. He picks up things fairly quick."

Hunter has been projected by draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. to go somewhere between the late first to early second rounds. In Kiper's list, Hunter is the third-rated offensive tackle behind Utah's Jordan Gross (6-4 1/2, 303) and Stanford's Kwame Harris (6-7, 310). Hunter has been told something similar to Kiper's assessment.

"The word through the grapevine has me going anywhere from the mid-first to early second (rounds)," Hunter said. "But for those who watch the draft on a regular basis know that anything can happen. I could end up going in the sixth, seventh rounds. Anything is possible."

But that seems unlikely he would slip to Sunday. Not from the glowing reviews he has received.

"(He) has overshadowed his Hawai'i teammate, guard Vincent Manuwai, and some teams have moved him ahead of Stanford's Kwame Harris as the No. 2 tackle prospect, behind only Jordan Gross of Utah," wrote NFL veteran reporter Len Pasquarelli for ESPN.com. "He has played in a big-time passing game and knows how to protect."

Since his announcement in January, Hunter had workouts in Arizona with Gross and Harris.

"Once I saw them working out, I realized I could step up to their level," Hunter said.

Goeas has worked with Hunter, prepared him for the NFL Combine, Pro Days and any other auditions since he declared his eligibility for the draft in January. Goeas is as good as they come, as far as tutors for pro offensive linemen. He trained Cincinnati Bengals rookie left tackle Levi Jones, the 10th overall selection — the first offensive lineman taken — before last year's draft.

"That made a world of difference," Jones said of training with Goeas. "I owe a lot to how high I was drafted to the guy."

Ironically, Draft2003.com was so impressed with Hunter's workouts, it made a bold prediction.

"... don't be surprised if Wayne Hunter is this year's Levi Jones, who went to the Bengals at pick #10 last year after being seen as a mid-to-late first round pick."

Hunter responded to the two main questions about his prospects for the draft. First, last year was the first time he played offensive line after playing defensive line first at California then for the Warriors in 2001. Second, he comes from a pass-oriented offense. The Combine in Indianapolis provided the answers. That's where he was timed in the 40-yard dash at 5.09 seconds and recorded 37 repetitions of 225 pounds, the highest among left-tackle candidates and only one shy of Illinois' Tony Pashos' 38.

"After the combine is when everything started showing up on the Internet that my stock was rising," Hunter said.

Hunter said he took a chance by declaring for the draft early because he felt he could compete with the left tackles available in this year's crop.

"There's a whole bunch of factors, but what it came down to is that I felt I was ready," he said. "So far it's been a good choice."

Hunter admitted that had he remained a defensive lineman, he probably still would get drafted, "but maybe not as high as I would have as an offensive lineman."

Some draft analysts said they feel Hunter might need a season to refine his blocking techniques. Yet, some teams will bank on his athleticism to smooth out the transition from college to pros.

"Some teams, like the (Miami) Dolphins, who are showing much interest, they want me to start right away," he said.

Still, as big as he is and awesome his ability, Hunter still has a lot of little boy in him. It will show on draft day.

"I'll be sitting back waiting for that phone call," he said, "biting my nails."