Former MSU place-kicker Dave Rayner lined up for a 45-yard field goal at the Duffy Daugherty Building on Tuesday with no one rushing, yelling or attempting to block his kick.
It was just him and the ball.
This has been the scenario for Rayner during the past couple months, preparing for the 2005 NFL Draft.
"I come in here kicking at least twice, sometimes three times a week," said Rayner, who is MSU's all-time leader in scoring, field goals and extra points. "Right now, I'm not trying to build a ton - I'm just trying to keep what I have until I get to a team."
Rayner, along with some of his former teammates who are looking for a shot at the NFL, have been trying to keep busy as they wait for the draft to arrive.
The players have been attending workouts with different NFL teams, working out at MSU and keeping in tip-top shape in hopes of being selected Saturday or Sunday in this year's NFL Draft, which will be held in New York City.
Rayner is rated the No. 2 kicker by ESPN.com behind Ohio State's Mike Nugent. And although not many kickers are usually taken in the NFL Draft, MSU football head coach John L. Smith is confident Rayner will find his way onto a team.
"He's got an NFL leg, there is no question," Smith said. "I'll be totally shocked if he doesn't make an NFL club.
"But are people going to draft a kicker? I don't know."
Running back DeAndra Cobb and defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson said they have had some private workouts with various NFL teams, including the Detroit Lions.
"I've been working out a lot - catching punts, doing sprints, stuff like that," Cobb said.
Although he is excited for this weekend to arrive, he hasn't listened to much of the hype surrounding the draft.
"I try my best not to pay attention to where people have me," said Cobb, who probably will wind up as a return specialist for his future team.
"It doesn't matter where I end up, I'm just happy to have the opportunity to continue playing."
Smith also said Vickerson has a solid chance - perhaps the best chance out of anyone from MSU - to be drafted this weekend.
"Vickerson had ... a pretty good combine workout," Smith said. "Good enough that they're going to draft him? I don't know. We're going to have to wait and see."
Vickerson, who will be watching the draft Saturday said at his home with his mother, was nervous as he waited for the weekend to arrive.
"I'm very excited. My head is spinning," said Vickerson, who led the Spartans in tackles for losses in 2004. "I don't know what city, what team, I don't know anything.
"It's real nerve-wracking right now, I just wish I had an idea. I'm just putting it into God's hands and letting him take care of it."
Other Spartans hoping to hear their names called this weekend are defensive end Clifford Dukes, free safety Jason Harmon, tight ends Jason Randall and Eric Knott and linebacker Ronald Stanley.
The 2005 NFL Draft can be viewed on ESPN beginning at noon on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday.
