John Wendling is treating the approaching NFL Draft frenzy the same way he approached his Wyoming football career.

He's loose. He's focused. And he's ready to rock it.

"It's going to be fun," Wendling said of the drafting process. "I'm looking forward to going out there and just doing what I always do."

As much fun as 2006 was for the safety from Rock Springs, 2007 looks to be beyond fun. Wendling is ranked high among defensive backs by many NFL Draft experts, and could be Wyoming's highest-drafted player since Ryan Yarborough was taken with the 41st overall pick in 1994. Beyond the draft, Wendling has the size and speed to hang around with an NFL team - something that has eluded many recent UW draftees.

But Wendling's future wouldn't be possible without Wendling's past. He closed his Wyoming career on a high note, leading the Cowboys' highly ranked defense throughout the 2006 season. He finished with a team-best 78 tackles, the second time in four years he led UW in that category. Wendling finished with 75 or more tackles in each of his final three seasons in Laramie, and ended his UW career ranked No. 10 all-time in tackles.

Beyond the statistics, Wendling was a key part of Wyoming's switch to the 3-4 defense. Without a strong leader in the secondary, defensive coordinator Mike Breske might not have been able to pull off the switch. Wendling blitzed often, but his ability to move quickly across the field helped make up for any blown coverages in the new scheme.

And now, NFL scouts are salivating over that speed. While receiver Jovon Bouknight was a playmaker who lacked the speed and strength to wow scouts at the various NFL combines and workouts, Wendling excels in speed and strength drills. He holds several UW weight-room records and famously leaped a 66-inch hurdle during offseason workouts.

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. puts Wendling as a tie for fifth in his rankings of the best senior safeties in the country, nfldraftblitz.com has him as the third-best strong safety in the country, and he's ranked as the No. 16 defensive back in the nation by Scouts Inc.

Wendling said he barely pays attention to the rankings.

"I try to ignore that kind of stuff, because it comes down to what I'm going to do," Wendling said. "It's good to know, but it really comes down to peoples' opinion of you, and you've got to show that when the time comes."

In early December, Wendling still didn't have an agent but planned to have one before 2007 started. Wendling did not return a call from the Star-Tribune earlier this week.

Wendling said that no matter who he signed with, he planned to train for the draft outside Wyoming.

"I personally think I could train anywhere, but it's just about going somewhere where they're going to give you the best opportunity," Wendling said.

It's all part of Wendling's bright future, lit up by his equally-bright past.

Contact senior sports reporter Peter Hockaday at (307) 266-0596 or peter.hockaday@casperstartribune.net