clarinews@clarinet.com (JIM SLATER, UPI Sports Writer) (02/03/90)
INDIANAPOLIS (UPI) -- Anthony Thompson arrived Friday at the National Scouting Combine without an agent or any idea of his true value in the April draft. Thompson said he is not concerned about where he will go in the draft, although he is projected a high first-round pick. Thompson, who led the NCAA in rushing last year at Indiana, has kept the dream of playing in the NFL from dominating his life. He did the same with the pressure of the Heisman Trophy race during his senior season, when he finished second to Andre Ware in voting. ``I will be happy to go in the top three rounds,'' said Thompson, who has been projected to be taken as high as second overall. ``It has been a dream of mine to play in the NFL and it's coming true. ``I know the difference in money and all that, depending on where you're taken. They say it's all about money, but I love football so much, I would play for free. I don't want to be greedy. Football is just a stepping stone to better things in life. (My) family situation is more important. I sit back sometimes and realize how blessed I am.'' NFL scouts are testing 341 top college seniors at the combine, a closed set of workouts in the Hoosier Dome. Players are given physicals, drug tests and run through workouts to measure their strength, speed and agility. Underclassmen are not invited to the sessions, eliminating NFL hopefuls as Alabama linebacker Keith McCants and Florida running back Emmitt Smith. Thompson set an NCAA rushing record with 377 yards on 52 carries last season against Wisconsin. The Terre Haute, Ind., native finished with 1,793 yards on 358 carries, giving him a career total of 5,299 yards. Thompson set NCAA records for rushing touchdeowns and career points, but finished second to Houston junior quarterback Andre Ware in Heisman balloting. Although his numbers speak well for him, Thompson does not mind taking the tests. ``Their are always doubts people have,'' he said. ``You've got to prove yourself in every aspect. They invest a lot of money. They have to right to test me any way they like. It's a different level -- faster, bigger, stronger. From high school to college was a big transition. It will be the same on the pro level.'' Thompson made his mark as a tough runner who could break tackles, but his quickness has been questioned. Thompson reminds critics that he has been underrated before. ``They said I wouldn't have speed at the college level and I did pretty well,'' he said. ``Lots of people don't have breakaway speed. I'm going to try to use those things that work to my advantage.''