Bryan Kehl doesn't lack for confidence.

No matter. He still thinks he's a first-three-rounds kind of guy.

And he's got a message for whichever NFL team drafts him either today or Sunday: "I'm Bryan Kehl, and I'm a steal of a deal."

Talented, gregarious and intelligent, Kehl certainly can make an impression, both on and off the field.

First, the numbers.

At the NFL Combines in Indianapolis, Kehl tied for third among outside linebackers in the vertical leap (34 inches), tied for fourth in the broad jump (9 feet, 11 inches) and was fifth in both the 3-cone drill (6.88 seconds) and the 20-yard shuttle run (4.23 seconds). He ran a 4.68 in the 40-yard dash and at BYU's Pro Day improved on all of those numbers, including a 4.58 in the 40.

Then of course, there's his body of work: three-year starter at BYU, all-Mountain West Conference and 91 tackles (11 for losses) in 2007.

Kehl's unique experience in Bronco Mendenhall's "Band of Brothers" is another important quality he possesses.

"A lot of guys out there are just individual players," Kehl said. "They're great players, but they haven't been in situation where the team came first. Coming from BYU, those qualities have been my mindset. I can bring that with me. I believe the harder you work, the more success you have. No one likes losing."

Former Cougar quarterback John Beck, who was taken in last year's second round by the Miami Dolphins, told Kehl how he presented himself would be a key factor in how he was perceived by NFL coaches.

"That's been one of the ways I've been able to move up in the postseason," Kehl said. "Guys from a smaller school have to answer questions the right way and be able to be athletic enough to get it done. I can bring the intangibles. I've tried to present myself as a high character individual."

It's worked. Kehl appears to be moving up the list of NFL prospects, if you believe the internet sites. Kehl does. A computer geek of sorts, Kehl said he's been following his progress online since the combines.

"If I was in school right now, I'd be doing other stuff," he said. "But I took a semester off, so I like to follow what other MWC players are doing in their Pro Day. If I see negative results on me, it doesn't break my heart or anything."

Much of the talk about Kehl is good. Gil Brandt, the former Dallas Cowboys director of player personnel who now works for NFL.com, ranks Kehl as the 54th best player available. And here's what Philadelphia Eagles scout Tommy Lawler had to say:

"One mid-round prospect who stood out to me was Bryan Kehl of BYU. ... Fast? Yes. Strong? Yes. Quick, agile? Yes. Very impressive showing. I find this kid really fascinating. ... He is a talented playmaker."

Wherever he's drafted, Kehl said he is simply looking for an opportunity to make an impact.

"What I expect is this is just getting in the door," he said. "Once I get there, what matters is where I go from there. I want to make a name for myself at that level just like I did at this level."

Kehl said one of his best friends is getting married today, so that will tie him up for most of the morning and afternoon. After the reception, he plans on coming home to watch the rest of the draft on TV.

Another former BYU player who may get drafted on the second day is inside linebacker Kelly Poppinga, who worked out for both Seattle and Miami. He's projected to be a late-round pick and if that doesn't happen, he'll certainly get invited to a camp as a free agent. It doesn't hurt that Poppinga's older brother, Brady, is a starting linebacker for the Green Bay Packers.

"I've been working out and trying to stay in football shape," Poppinga said. "Bryan and I are getting ourselves ready for training camps by lifting and conditioning four days a week. I think I've improved a ton. I learned new concepts and training techniques while living in California, which have improved my whole workout routine."

It's likely no one from a Mountain West Conference team will be drafted in the first two rounds, but several MWC'ers could be tabbed on Day 2. That list includes Kehl, UNLV middle linebacker Beau Bell and San Diego State quarterback Kevin O'Connell. The trend for drafted players from the MWC seems to be downward: After getting 17 players picked in 2005, the league has sent 12 and nine players to the NFL the past two seasons.

• Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-2555 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it