LOGAN — Back in the day when he was growing up, Kevin Curtis had a plan.
The Miami Dolphins fan wanted to be a professional football player.
"That's what I'd tell people," Curtis said. "When you're little, the sky is kind of the limit. Reality doesn't really sink in."
One wonders if it ever did for Curtis, who despite taking a somewhat unconventional path, is on the verge of accomplishing his childhood aspiration. He's expected to be taken as early as the second or third round in this weekend's National Football League draft.
Though excited by the prospect, the former walk-on and LDS Church missionary has tried not to get caught up in all the hoopla. The record-setting Utah State wide receiver is aware of the positive press he's receiving, but he quickly points out that those aren't the people making the picks.
"Who knows what will happen on draft day? It could be a disappointment. It could be even better than I thought. I don't know," said Curtis, who is eager for the opportunity to play at the game's highest level and has no preference on where he goes .
"There's still a lot of work for me to get done once draft day is over. I've still got to make the team. I've just got to keep my head through all of this."
Maintaining focus hasn't been a problem. Curtis is letting agent Gary Wichard, who also represents Utah's Dyson brothers, sweat the details. Another diversion is school. Curtis is still enrolled at USU, where he plans to complete work on his marketing degree in May.
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"There's plenty of things to keep me busy so my mind doesn't wander too much on it," Curtis said. "But it's been tiring. It's kind of nice to sit back and let others do the rest."
The 5-foot-11, 189-pounder from South Jordan has given the NFL plenty to think about. He posted an impressive shuttle run and scored the second-highest intelligence test score in league history.
"I did better than I thought. I knew most of it, but there's at least four or five I just guessed on," Curtis says of the 48 out of 50 he received on the timed Wonderlic examination. "It wasn't all that Utah State education. There was a little luck, too."
Preparation worked into the equation as well. Curtis studied for the test and had taken versions of it before. He also did his homework physically — putting in the time to excel in all aspects the NFL sought.
Months of extensive workouts, including an appearance in the Senior Bowl and the NFL's annual combine, were demanding. And so, too, were the medical exams. Curtis has never had a serious injury but jokingly said he thought doctors might give him one with all the pulling and prodding they did.
Even so, he adds, the whole process has been a good experience. It's the reward at the end of a journey motivated by a love for the game.
"I never really planned on playing in the NFL. I always wanted to play college football — Division I — that was kind of a dream for me," said Curtis, who joined the Aggies as a walk-on and left the program as its career receptions leader with 174 catches. "I just went out, played football and had a good time. It's just kind of a bonus that I've got a shot to keep playing."
USU coach Mick Dennehy doesn't look at it that way. He credits Curtis for having extraordinary determination.
"If he doesn't do something well, he just freaking works on it," Dennehy notes. "And he gets better."
There's a pattern to prove it. After earning second-team all-region honors at Bingham High School, Curtis developed into a second-team All-American receiver at Snow College. Missionary service and a redshirt year at USU followed before Curtis burst back into prominence. He caught the attention of NFL scouts in 2001 as the nation's leader in receptions with 100. The Associated Press named Curtis a third-team All-American and he was a national finalist for the Biletnikoff Award.
The accolades, coupled with a strong senior season, has put him in position to be USU's first NFL draftee since Johndale Carty in 1999.
The unusual route Curtis took to this point prompts reflection.
"Every once in a while I think about it. I think about just how lucky I've been to be healthy and have the kind of career I had in college. It's something you kind of dream about," Curtis said. "I'm thankful for all the blessings I've received. I try not to think much about the jump to the NFL because I'm not there yet.
"But, if I'm fortunate enough to make a team . . . there's a lot of look back at," he added. "It's been pretty crazy."
E-mail: dirk@desnews.com