Maximum Exposure

Wolf, the Raiders' player-personnel chief, is perturbed at being put on the spot. "Bobby, you just told me he threw sidearmed," says Wolf, shaking his head. "I sure don't know anything about the kid."

At 5:15, Elkins is summoned to the Dallas Cowboys' suite for an interview with scout John Wooten, who repeatedly refers to him as "Mike Elkin." Among the questions Wooten asks him are "What was the highlight of your career?" "Which people had the biggest influence in your life?" "Who is Mike Elkin?" NFL teams spend more than $1 million a year each on scouting to ask probing questions like these.

Gil Brandt, Dallas's vice-president for personnel development, sashays into the room, bragging he will soon be jetting to Washington, D.C., for George Bush's inauguration. He tries to wow Elkins with his knowledge of some trivial information about Elkins, Groh and Mary Parsons, the football secretary at Wake Forest. "I can't believe it," says Elkins later. "I'm in the Cowboys' suite, and Gil Brandt is b.s.'ing me. I know Gil isn't that tight with Coach Groh. He has never ever talked to me about Gil. But I don't have to let him know that."

Saturday, Jan. 21

The South defeats the North 13-12. Elkins has an unsatisfactory day, completing six of 15 passes for 62 yards and throwing two interceptions. "He hasn't set the world on fire." says one scout after the game. "People have more questions about him now. He didn't make that much progress. With a week of pro coaching, I hoped he would develop."

Outside the locker room Elkins slips his white jersey on eight-year-old Jack Christopher Elkins. He is the son of Mike's oldest brother. Stormy, who lives outside Orlando. "It's funny how life goes in circles." says Mike. "My mother's brother Rod Hanson played in the 1958 Senior Bowl. He played defensive end for Illinois. In one of our family albums, there's a picture of Stormy wearing Uncle Rod's college all-star game jersey. Stormy was about five. I was always intrigued by the picture, so I couldn't help but duplicate it."

Thursday, Feb. 2 WINSTON-SALEM

Elkins has worked out only three times since the Senior Bowl. He is frantically trying to catch up with classwork he missed while at the two all-star games. He has aced scuba diving and jazz ensemble, and switched a speech communications course, but he must make up a Spanish literature test. He needs those four Spanish credits to graduate this spring, with a degree in speech communications. Above all, the freedom of the Sugar Creek apartments off campus takes some getting used to. For the first time in five years, he isn't required to live in the athletes' dorm.

By 10:30 p.m., Elkins's joint is jumping with 10 of his former teammates. Tomorrow he leaves for the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. His friends pester him about the trip, but they also reassure him that he's definitely a No. 1 pick. No sweat.

Toward the end of the evening, Elkins admits to his best friend, senior Jay Deaver, that he's feeling pressure from the gang. Nevertheless, Deaver proposes a toast. "Good luck, Mike." says Deaver. "Relax. We don't care if you're first round or 13th. We'll still love you—as long as you get us tickets."