After suffering a serious knee injury during a workout in late January, questions abounded about when — or if — Jack Ikegwuonu would be selected during the NFL draft.

That answer was provided early Sunday afternoon when the Philadelphia Eagles selected the former University of Wisconsin cornerback in the fourth round, with the 131st overall pick.

"Considering the unfortunate situation I went through in January and then the other issue I had, I was trying to go into it optimistic as much as I could. I had good people around me, so they kept my head up," Ikegwuonu said in a conference call.

"I was just hoping for the best, and expecting the worst. I was going to roll with any situation that I faced. I'm just happy to be in Philly and (drafted) relatively high, given my situation."

The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Ikegwuonu, a two-time, first-team All-Big Ten Conference pick who declared for the draft following his junior season, likely would have been chosen earlier had he not suffered a torn ACL, partially torn MCL and damaged kneecap when he stumbled while pulling a weighted sled during a workout Jan. 22 in Florida.

Ikegwuonu — who also faces charges of residential burglary and criminal trespass stemming from a November 2006 arrest in DeKalb, Ill., after he and his twin brother, Bill, allegedly broke into an apartment and tried to steal an Xbox — underwent surgery in March, and is expected to miss the entire 2008 season.

"I was trying to do what I could to try to make a comeback this year. But I think with what's at stake and the level of competition, it's just not realistic to see me contributing on a significant level this year," Ikegwuonu said. "Being at this position, a corner, and with the knee and everything, it's definitely something I should take my time with.

"I'm just happy to be in the NFL. It's a dream of mine, and I'm just ready to get back to rehab and doing what I need to do to get myself back on the field."

While Ikegwuonu was the first Badger picked, he wasn't the only UW player chosen on the draft's second day.

Kicker Taylor Mehlhaff, defensive tackle Nick Hayden and wide receiver Paul Hubbard were all selected in the sixth round.

Mehlhaff was the first kicker chosen, going 178th overall to the New Orleans Saints.

"When the fifth round started, I kind of sat down and started watching and looking at the teams that might need a kicker," said Mehlhaff, who worked out for New Orleans at Camp Randall Stadium last Monday. "It felt pretty dang good to get that call."

Mehlhaff, who made 50 field goals in his college career and is UW's second all-time leading scorer (295 points), is expected to compete with veteran Martin Gramatica for the Saints' kicking job.

"Anywhere you go, you've got to go in there and compete. I think this is a good opportunity for me," Mehlhaff said. "I think out of all the places that are looking for kickers, this is one of the better opportunities."

The 6-3, 291-pound Hayden, a three-year starter who was an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick last season after finishing with 48 tackles and 4.5 quarterback sacks, was chosen 181st overall by the Carolina Panthers.

"It's definitely exciting," Hayden said. "I'd been waiting all day for my name to be called. I was waiting by my phone, and I knew when my phone rang it was my time. ... They called and asked if I wanted to be a Carolina Panther. I said, 'Heck yeah, I want to be a Carolina Panther.'

"I was just looking for the opportunity. My opportunity came and I'm ready to take advantage of it."

Hubbard was the final Badger selected, going 191st overall to the Cleveland Browns.

"I'm feeling really good," said the 6-2, 220-pound Hubbard, who finished with 14 catches for 305 yards during a 2007 season in which he missed five games because of a knee injury. "I feel really relieved to finally have the pressure of waiting to be drafted off my shoulders."

At least two Badgers who weren't drafted signed free agent deals Sunday night.

Wide receiver Luke Swan, a Fennimore native, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, according to his agent, Cliff Brady. Punter Ken DeBauche signed with the Green Bay Packers, according to his agent, Peter Schaffer.