Elimimian, the Warriors' best cover defender the past two seasons, was projected as a late-round selection in the past weekend's seven rounds of the National Football League draft.

"When the fourth round ended and I didn't get drafted, I wasn't upset, but I was planning my next move," he said.

After being passed over, he recalled thinking, "Don't look back. Think ahead."

His agent, Michael Hoffman, was contacted by the Chargers, New York Giants and Chicago Bears.

"The Giants were pushing hard," said Elimimian, who eventually picked the Chargers because he was "impressed with their organization and their direction."

The Chargers did not draft any defensive backs this year. They have four cornerbacks who were selected high in past drafts. Elimimian is one of three cornerbacks to sign free-agent contracts with the Chargers.

"I know I have a shot, because they didn't draft anybody," Elimimian said. "At the same time, I'm going in with my usual mindset. I'm going to work hard and prove I belong out there."

Hoffman said NFL teams typically keep five cornerbacks. The Chargers "have four very good corners," Hoffman said. "If they do the traditional thing and keep five, we believe Abraham will rise to the top. This is a good opportunity for him. It's no different than it would be for a fourth- or fifth-round corner trying to make the team."

Hoffman acknowledged the NFL's perception of Elimimian changed after he ran 40 yards in 4.7 seconds at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. At a "Pro Day" in Los Angeles last month, Elimimian completed the distance in 4.5 seconds, his average 40 time at UH.

"Unfortunately with the draft, what you do on the field is as important as what you do at the combine," Hoffman said. "He's a much better football player than what he showed (in the 40-yard dash). What he did (at UH and the Senior Bowl) should be more meaningful. Sometimes teams look at the other things."

Elimimian said the whole process "made me stronger and made me realize it's a business."

Hoffman said Elimimian's two-year contract includes a signing bonus. The usual NFL policy is to guarantee only the signing bonus and not the contract.

If Elimimian makes the opening-day roster, he will receive the NFL rookie minimum salary of $235,000. The second-year minimum is $305,000.

Hoffman said he does "not feel comfortable" disclosing the amount of Elimimian's signing bonus. Elimimian said he did not know how much he will receive.

But Elimimian's former UH teammate, cornerback Kelvin Millhouse, received a $6,000 signing bonus from his free-agent deal with the Miami Dolphins last year. Hoffman also represents Millhouse.

Elimimian said he wants to succeed with the Chargers, in large part, as a way to thank Rich Miano, who coaches UH's defensive backs.

"I owe so much to coach Miano," Elimimian said. "As much as (the draft snub) was an ordeal for me, it was an ordeal for him, too. I felt really bad for him. He really believed in me. I felt I let him down. I hope I can prove people wrong — for him."