These are nervous days indeed for Michigan State defensive tackle Jerel Worthy as the April 26-28 NFL draft draws closer.

One day his phone rings and it’s the Denver Broncos, the next it’s the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Houston Texans. Sometimes they ask him about defensive concepts, but mostly it’s about better acquainting themselves with someone who figures to command a high draft pick and a life-changing contract.

“I’m hearing from a lot of (teams) outside the top 15, as well as Carolina; they pick ninth,” the Wayne High School graduate said Thursday, having just returned to Detroit from doing an NFL Network interview in Los Angeles.

Some mock drafts have Worthy being selected late in the first round, with Denver a popular potential landing spot at No. 25 overall. But analysts such as NFLDraftScout.com’s Dane Brugler aren’t so sure. Defensive tackle is deep this year and Michael Brockers (LSU), Fletcher Cox (Mississippi State) and Dontari Poe (Memphis) seem to be drawing more raves.

Scouts Inc. rates Worthy No. 32 overall, but there’s no consensus on where he actually might end up, only that he figures to hear his name called early on the second day if not late on the first.

Citing concerns about Worthy’s “functional strength to anchor at the point of attack” and whether he can “consistently get off blocks and double-teams,” Brugler concludes “it will be tough for a team to pull the trigger in the first round.”

“I wouldn’t be extremely disappointed,” Worthy said. “It’s every kid’s dream to go in the first round, but I’m just looking forward to taking advantage of my opportunity. It’s my dream just to get with a team.”

Worthy says he takes comfort in knowing he’s done all he can. Sure, his combine performance was disappointing, but with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watching, he made up for it with a strong showing at Michigan State’s pro day last month.

“I’ve gone through all the proper steps,” said Worthy, who left one year of college eligibility on the table. “I’m just looking forward to getting it over with.”

Campus tour

• If any doubt existed as to the impact of Courtney Chihil (Alter) on Florida Gulf Coast University’s women’s basketball team, the postseason banquet erased it. Chihil was named Co-Player of the Year and also won the Eagle Award, given to the player who most embodies the FGCU motto “Play Like an Eagle.” Chihil went over 1,000 career points this season and finished as the school’s all-time steals leader as the 29-3 Eagles won the Atlantic Sun Conference and lost in overtime to St. Bonaventure in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

• Cincinnati’s Kaitlyn Good (Vandalia Butler) won the heptathlon at the Oliver Nikoloff Invitational in late March. Also at that meet for UC, Danheisha Hardings (Chaminade Julienne) placed second in the 100 hurdles and Michelle Eby (Wayne) won the pole vault.

If you have information about an area athlete in college, send an email to smcclelland @DaytonDailyNews.com.