More Photos (2):

Other articles by Tyler Hansen:

Locals get chance to swim in fast lane Grevers at home in Tucson pool Opinion by Tyler Hansen: The winner is... High schools' best Pusch Ridge seniors treat their beat feet after another feat Weldon's intense focus leads to a big celebration

Other articles by Ryan Finley:

Firecracker Triathlon's oldest entrant is determined not to take the longest Running takes Oro Valley couple to all 7 continents Cats find big Texan 'from out of the blue' Becoming Army strong Wildcats' young QB learns early: 'Don't do dumb stuff'

Administrative & Professional
Jorgensen Brooks Group
Counselor Finance and Accounting
Charles E. Gillman Company
Accounting Specialist Health Care
CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Sales and Marketing
Everready Glass
Sales Reps Health Care
Sierra Tucson
Eating Disorders Program Coordinator Trades/Construction
RANCHO RESORT
MAINTANANCE POSITION Administrative & Professional
Tucson Urban League
CEO/President

Teri Larsen tucked away all the balloons and hid the treats while her son, Arizona Wildcats linebacker Spencer Larsen, nervously watched the TV.

Nearly six hours passed in the NFL draft Sunday with no sign of Larsen's name on the screen and no phone calls from interested teams.

"There was a lot of anxiety," Teri Larsen said from the family's home in Gilbert. "We were hoping for the best, but planning for the worst."

Finally, at 12:50 p.m., the Denver Broncos selected Arizona's star linebacker with the 183rd pick in the sixth round of the NFL draft.

That is when the party officially began.

"They couldn't have picked a better place for me," said an emotionally drained Larsen, who simply raised his fist when his name was called. "It's an absolutely great fit for me and my family. I'm ecstatic right now."

Also drafted from the UA on Sunday was cornerback Wilrey Fontenot, who was taken in the seventh round (212th overall) by the Atlanta Falcons.

UA defensive tackle Lionel Dotson was the eighth-to-last pick (245th) and is headed to the Miami Dolphins.

It was a landmark day for Larsen, who first arrived at the UA in 2002 as a lightly recruited linebacker. He spent two years in Chile on a Mormon mission before returning to Tucson to finish his college career.

He led the Wildcats — and the Pac-10 — with 131 tackles as a senior and received first-team All-Pac-10 honors.

Larsen, 24, made the rounds in the months leading up to the draft. He was named defensive MVP of the East-West Shrine Game, a showcase for the nation's top seniors.

The only issue for Larsen was speed. Scouts voiced concern over his 40-yard dash time, which hovered around the 4.8-second range during pre-draft workouts, but raved about his instincts and character.

"I knew (Denver) liked him a lot as a player and as a man, and I knew they had a strong interest in him," said Larsen's agent, Bruce Tollner. "I just didn't know where it would shake out come draft day. But Denver is a great place for him to be."

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan called Larsen and told him the team will try him out at linebacker and fullback — a position Larsen hasn't played since high school.

"Anywhere I can help out and improve the team is fine with me," Larsen said. "It doesn't matter what position it is. You have to understand the plays all the same."

Like Larsen, Fontenot waited longer than expected for his name to be called. He impressed scouts at February's NFL combine and the UA's pro timing day last month, but unexpectedly slipped into the final round.

"It's a little frustrating because you see some other corners being drafted that you know you're better than," Fontenot said. "I was surprised I fell that far, but it's fine."

Fontenot, 23, started 46 games during his UA career and returned from shoulder surgery to post arguably his best season as a senior. He finished with 40 tackles, one interception and seven passes-broken-up.

The Falcons will fly Fontenot to Atlanta later this week in preparation of the team's first minicamp with rookies May 9-11.

"All the work paid off, but now I've got to get back and start working all over again," Fontenot said. "My goal partially came true by being drafted. Now I've got to make the team."

Said UA coach Mike Stoops: "I always felt Wilrey had very great capabilities. I think he's still capable of a lot more, and hopefully that will happen."

Dotson, a 6-foot-4-inch, 286-pounder, earned second-team All-Pac-10 honors last season after leading the UA with 6 1/2 sacks. His 50 tackles were tops among the Wildcats' defensive linemen, and he was invited to the East-West Shrine Game.

Arizona senior defensive lineman Louis Holmes was not selected Sunday, but he is expected to sign as undrafted free agent in the coming days.

Teri Larsen said she expected 50 to 100 family members and friends to attend a draft celebration Sunday night.

"We haven't really been a fan of any team except the U of A," she said. "Now we're going to go buy a bunch of Broncos stuff."