LAKE MILLS, Iowa – Day two of the 2001 National Football League draft came and went without a phone call to Andy Stensrud.

Tuesday, April 24, 2001

LAKE MILLS, Iowa – Day two of the 2001 National Football League draft came and went without a phone call to Andy Stensrud.

But he did not remain a free agent for long.

By Sunday night, Stensrud had signed with the Arizona Cardinals and will leave this week for mini-camp in Phoenix.

A 1997 graduate of Lake Mills High School, where he was a three-sport standout, Stensrud was a four-year member of the Iowa State University football team. He played tight end his first three seasons before switching to offensive tackle as a senior, when he started 12 games and earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors as the Cyclones won the Insight.com Bowl in Phoenix.

Stensrud admitted he closely monitored last weekend’s NFL draft, but he knew the fact he played only one season at tackle could work against him.

&uot;I was hoping to be picked, but I knew if I wasn’t drafted I’d be picked up right away,&uot; said Stensrud, who signed Sunday through his agent.

Stensrud’s father, Mike, also played for Iowa State and went on to play defensive tackle for 11 years for the NFL’s Oilers, Vikings, Chiefs, Buccaneers and Redskins.

There’s no pressure in trying to follow in his father’s footsteps, according to Stensrud. He sees it as helpful.

&uot;It’s an advantage, I think,&uot; said Stensrud. &uot;He can help me with all the pitfalls of football and everything. It’s definitely an advantage.&uot;

Stensrud, 6-feet-7 1/2, 320 pounds, is looking forward to his own challenge in professional football.

&uot;I have a lot of work ahead of me,&uot; he said. &uot;I know it will be tough, but I think I can do it. I’m just going to give it my best shot and see where it takes me, I guess.&uot;