Most of the Illinois football players who were hoping to be drafted over the weekend had to wait and sign free-agent contracts after the draft ended.

Running back Rashard Mendenhall turned out to be the only player from the Rose Bowl squad to be selected when Pittsburgh made him the 23rd overall pick in the first round.

And even Mendenhall’s selection ended up being somewhat disappointing in that he was the fourth running back taken and slipped lower than most of the so-called experts had predicted.

The Mendenhall situation was surprising because some felt he was the best running back in the draft. There wasn’t a more determined runner in college football last year than  Mendenhall, who pumps his legs to pick up every last bit  of yardage he can muster.

At the very worst, Mendenhall was expected to be picked by Dallas at No. 22. But apparently the Cowboys felt that Felix Jones and his big-play ability would be a better complement to running back Marion Barber.

One web site rated Jones as being among the worst picks in the draft and Mendenhall being one of the best. USA Today rated Pittsburgh’s draftees among the best, largely because of Mendenhall. I have now read criticism of Dallas, Detroit and Chicago for not picking him.

As some had feared, linebacker J Leman,  who was named to several All-American teams last season, wasn’t taken. His offseason ankle surgery didn’t help and unimpressive speed was a detriment. But he ended up signing Sunday night with Minnesota and will have a shot.

Other Illinois players to sign as free agents included defensive tackle Chris Norwell with New England, safety Justin Harrison with Cleveland, safety Kevin Mitchell with Washington, kicker Jason Reda with Cleveland and offensive tackle Akim Millington with New Orleans.

The draft helped to further demonstrate why Illinois struggled in the Rose Bowl against USC. The Trojans had 10 players drafted, including four in the first round and three in the second round.