By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor

Former ACU offensive lineman Britt Lively is counting on his name being called at the 2004 NFL Draft Saturday or Sunday.

The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder has been scouted consistently by several NFL teams since his junior season at ACU, and his agent, Dave Lee of PlayersRep Sports Management, said Lively still could be a late-round draftee.

“It’s just so hard to tell,” Lee said from his Ohio-based office Wednesday. “It’s like throwing at a dart board and hoping your number comes up. These teams never give away what they’re going to do. If nothing else, he’ll be an undrafted priority free agent.”

Lively could not be reached for comment, but Lee said he has kept in consistent communication with his client, who has the usual pre-Draft jitters.

“Of course he’s nervous,” Lee said. “Everybody’s nervous, come on. He probably just wants to be left alone.”

According to Lively’s former offensive line coach, Pat Rippee, Lively will not make the trip to New York City for the draft, which will take place at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.

“There’s no reason for him to go up there,” Rippee said. “I”m sure he’ll stay around. Everything’s done by telephone anyway.”

If Lively goes undrafted after the seven-round ordeal, Lee said the NFL Player’s Association could have a free agent contract prepared for him as soon as Monday morning.