CHAMPAIGN – For much of his athletic career, Jon Asamoah wasn't accustomed to seeing his name mentioned among the superstar quarterbacks, running backs and receivers.

Such is the life of an interior lineman.

But after anchoring an Illinois offensive line that went to the Rose Bowl and led the Big Ten in rushing and total offense in 2008, Asamoah's name is alongside those who might be selected high in the NFL draft (6:30 p.m. today, ESPN).

"I was just wondering where all that was coming from. I was definitely surprised when I started to hear people talk about the NFL," Asamoah said. "It was interesting to me but didn't seem like something that was real back then. I just laughed it off."

His teammates weren't.

"Guys on the team were really the only ones around me talking about it," Asamoah said. "They were like, 'Oh, I see your name here. I saw this, I saw that.' They kind of give me a hard time asking for like five bucks or something like that."

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Asamoah is projected to go as high as the second round. Asamoah, a two-star recruit by Rivals.com out of Rich East High in Park Forest, is rated as the second-best guard prospect by various scouting services behind Idaho's Mike Iupati, a projected first-round pick.

"I was sitting back with my mom this weekend when I went home and we just looked at each other and said, 'Did you ever think this was gonna happen?' " Asamoah said. "This was not in the plans, but it's a great opportunity and I'm excited for it."

A second-team All-Big Ten season boosted Asamoah's stock. But a shoulder injury he suffered during practice at the Senior Bowl set him back.

Asamoah missed the Senior Bowl game, could not work out at the NFL combine and missed Illinois' pro timing day in March. He didn't work out for NFL scouts until earlier this month on campus.

"When I got hurt, it was kind of deflating," Asamoah said. "It was kind of hard thinking I was gonna drop and all that. I was lucky to have my family, my coaches and other guys around me to pick me up. I had to be patient with the healing, and once I got going and being able to work out, I was even more driven than before."

The NFL overtures might have come as a surprise to Asamoah, but those who had the misfortune of lining up against him daily in practice knew better.

"The guy just flat-out made me a better player," Illinois defensive tackle Corey Liuget said. "He made me who I am today. Asamoah was just one of the guys who taught me most of everything I know today about how to beat an offensive lineman."

And don't let the soft-spoken, well-mannered demeanor fool you. When Asamoah mixes it up in the trenches, he's as mean as they come.

"The guy is passionate about the game. He just comes out ready to play from the beginning every day," Liuget said. "I really don't know what to say, he's just an unbelievable athlete as an offensive lineman. I have yet to go against someone who's better than him or even compares to him.

"He's very humble and modest. He'll know that he beat you but pick you up and tell you what you need to do better the next time. He's a guy that just keeps his teammates going."

And that's why his teammates are excited.

"I'll be able to watch it on Thursday. Friday night, I'll be watching it, too," Illinois offensive lineman Graham Pocic said. "He's like my older brother ... my older, smarter brother."

Said Liuget: "He deserves it. He put in all the work for it, and no one can take that away from him."

NFL draft
Radio City Music Hall, New York
Round 1: 6:30 p.m. today, ESPN
Rounds 2-3: 5 p.m. Friday, ESPN, ESPN2
Rounds 4-7: 9 a.m. Saturday, ESPN

Where the Illini will go:
WR    Arrelious Benn    Late first, early second
OL    Jon Asamoah    Second round
TE    Michael Hoomanawanui    Late rounds
TE    Jeff Cumberland    Late rounds/free agent
RB    Daniel Dufrene    Free agent
WR    Chris Duvalt    Free agent
WR    Dere Hicks    Free agent
DL    Antonio James    Free agent
DL    Rahkeem Smith    Free agent
QB    Juice Williams    Free agent
DL    Sirod Williams    Free agent

Line ’em up
Illinois offensive linemen have been a hit in the NFL. Jon Asamoah, expected to be drafted in the second or third round Friday, hopes to add to the accomplishments. Here are the current ex-Illini playing on NFL offensive lines:
PLAYER    TEAM    COMMENT
Dave Diehl     Giants    Pro Bowler/Super Bowl winner among the best fifth-round picks in NFL history   
Xavier Fulton    Bucs    Another fifth-round pick, he spent the 2009 season on injured reserve
Ryan McDonald    Chargers    Smart guy was placed on the team’s practice squad/injured list in 2009
Brandon Moore    Jets    Converted defensive lineman has started six consecutive seasons at right guard
Tony Pashos    Browns    Another fifth-rounder, he’s playing with his fourth team
Duke Preston    Cowboys    Son of former NFL linebacker Ray Preston has 20 career starts at center