Former Wildcat Spencer Larsen, left, led the Pac-10 in tackles last season with 131. He also had 15 1/2 tackles for loss, which topped the UA.

GREG BRYAN / ARIZONA DAILY STAR 2007

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Spencer Larsen turned 24 last month, strange news for Arizona Wildcats fans who assumed he was, well, older.

Larsen just seems that way.

The UA's standout linebacker is a husband, father, college graduate and returned Mormon missionary.

At the end of the weekend, Larsen could be a pro football player. Many analysts project the 6-foot-1-inch, 240-pound Larsen as a middle-to-late-round pick in this weekend's NFL draft. Larsen took part in the NFL combine in February, and was one of the Wildcats' top performers at pro timing day a month ago.

Larsen could be a good fit for a team looking for a low-risk, low-maintenance tackles machine.

"I think the time I've spent not only in football, but in other areas, has helped me, but I'm still barely 24," Larsen said. "Most of the guys at the combine took a redshirt year, so they're 22, maybe 23. My age hasn't been an issue."

Actually, it has been an advantage. Agent Bruce Tollner said teams were impressed with the way Larsen handled himself during the combine, and in subsequent interviews with scouts.

"Maturity is a critical component in the evaluation process. Fortunately in that area, he's an A-plus," Tollner said. "The feedback has been fantastic on him. I haven't spoken with a single linebackers coach that doesn't like him. It's just that where he goes is going to be hard to project because so many factors go into it."

Some scouts have voiced concerns about Larsen's 40-yard dash time, which hovers around 4.8 seconds. But the linebacker is optimistic his statistics make up for a lack of measurable speed.

Larsen led the Pac-10 with 131 tackles in 2007; his four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and 15 1/2 tackles for loss were tops on the UA.

"Spencer's not a guy who tests as well as some other people, but his numbers are all you need to know about him," UA coach Mike Stoops said Thursday. "His self-motivation, instincts on the football field, ability to find a football and being so coachable make him an exciting pick.

"I think Spencer's going to be one of those long-term guys — a Tedy Bruschi-type player."

Larsen won't say where he expects to be taken — "It's not worth believing anything you hear. You hear a good (rumor), then you hear a bad one," he said — but figures to be a good fit for a team with a 4-3 defensive set.

"I've been trying to keep myself prepared for anything," he said. "We're expecting the worst and hoping for the best, so we're not getting into a state of frustration. Whether I'm getting drafted or signing as a free agent, I'm ready to do it. This has been a long time coming."