Was LaBoy really selected early in the second round, the 42nd overall pick in yesterday's National Football League draft?

Indeed, it was true, as the announcers confirmed after the break — and ESPN's coverage was appropriate for the publicity-shy LaBoy.

Instead of a large party at the family home in Larkspur, Calif., he wanted to watch the draft with his girlfriend (former UH volleyball player) Nohea Tano, her son Koby, his brother C.J., his brother's girlfriend Levalasi Key, and his mother Angela Curley and stepfather Arthur Kalama Curley.

Angela Curley said her son told her, "I don't want anything big. I'm just a college player. I'm not special."

The Titans would disagree, using their second pick of the second round on the successor to All-Pro defensive end Jevon Kearse.

"I think when you go back and look at the film, it showed he really played well during the season," said LaBoy's agent, Ken Zuckerman. "He doesn't take any plays off. He's very active. The tape doesn't lie. Look at all of the sacks and quick first steps and his ability."

LaBoy said: "I'm honored the Titans would take me, and I'm happy to represent Hawai'i."

LaBoy has strong ties to Hawai'i. His father, Cliff, was a former UH defensive standout. His mother works for the Maui Visitors Bureau out of California.

"Right now, we have a pride we share with the state of Hawai'i," Curley said. "We feel our family has an umbilical cord to the Islands."

To prepare for ESPN's telecast of the draft, Tano brought the Hawai'i state flag, which was displayed on a pole outside the family's home.

"I wanted the flag to represent everyone back home in Hawai'i and remind me where I came from," LaBoy said.

LaBoy will be introduced to the Nashville media at a news conference today. Next week, he reports to the Titans' mini-camp.

Zuckerman said he does not anticipate any problems in contract negotiations. "Our philosophy is to get guys into camp on time," Zuckerman said.

Zuckerman declined to name a negotiating starting point. But in recent years, an early second-round selection would command a contract worth $3 million over four years.

Of that amount, half would be paid up front as a signing bonus. As is the case with all NFL contracts, only the signing bonus is guaranteed.

LaBoy said he has earmarked a portion of any bonus to the Travis LaBoy Foundation, which will benefit children with autism or learning disabilities. LaBoy's half-brother is autistic.

"If you get the money, you have to give back," LaBoy said. "You have to stay grounded. It's not about big money and fast cars.... I'm very happy now. I'm in a good situation. I want to share that."