Kearney, Neb. -  Former Nebraska-Kearney football players Stephen Goodin and Arthur Hobbs could soon be working for an NFL team.

The 2011 Division II All-Americans hope to hear from an NFL team after this weekend's draft. The 76th annual draft begins Thursday night and concludes Saturday evening. The official site for the draft can be found HERE.

While Goodin (Hastings) and Hobbs (San Diego, Calif./Mt. Miguel H.S.) may not be drafted, they hope to follow in the footsteps of several other Lopers who signed free agent deals with NFL teams.

The most recent player in that group is defensive end Mason Brodine (Elm Creek H.S.), signed by the Oakland Raiders last summer.

After spending most of the year on the Raider practice squad, he played in two regular season games in December. On April 2nd, Brodine resigned with Oakland and is currently on their active roster.

Since last fall, NFL teams have shown a lot of interest in Goodin (6-6, 310 lbs.), a tight end and defensive end for the Hastings High Tigers.  

He played just about every position along the line for the Lopers, starting at left guard for two years and starting at left tackle last fall.

In the weight room, he can clean 392 lbs., has a top squat of 604 lbs., a top bench of 403 lbs. while running a personal-best 4.90 in the 40-yard dash and reaching 30.5 in the vertical jump.

Off the field, Goodin was a three-time Academic All-RMAC pick who is planning to attend medical school someday.

Hobbs (5-11, 190 lbs.) spent two years at UNK after beginning his career at Grossmont College in California. His measurables include a 35.5 vertical and a 409 lbs. squat.

Thanks a senior season that saw him make 54 tackles and lead the nation in passes defended (six interceptions and 18 pass breakups), several NFL teams have shown interest. 

He also got on their radar by working out at San Diego State's pro day. The only D2 player at SDSU, Hobbs turned in a 4.45 40 time.

In a September win over Northeastern State (Okla.), Hobbs returned three interceptions for two scores and a total of 214 yards, a new Division II record.