The time has come for ex-Del Norte standout

When Quenton Meeks says he’s been waiting his whole life for this moment, he really means it.

Literally, just about every day, his dream has been to play in the National Football League.

From the early days when his dad, Ron, was coaching in the NFL until now, just two weeks from the NFL draft of collegiate players, everything the 6-foot-2, 209-pound cornerback from Del Norte High and Stanford has been designed for the day he would be chosen by a team to play pro football.

This year’s three-day NFL draft begins April 26.

Meeks, a second-team All-Pacific 12 selection as a junior in 2017, is guessing his name will more likely be called on the second day. But he will watch the first round for no other reason than to check off each time a cornerback is chosen.

“I’ll watch the first day to see who walks across the stage after hearing their name called,’’ Meeks said. “Just in case my name sneaks into the first round I don’t want to miss hearing my name on TV.

“I’m not sure how I’ll react when it happens. Only a few guys every year get to hear their name called out for their dream job.

“I’ve watched every draft since I was a little kid. I’ve seen those guys on the phone getting the news, then hearing their name called out and they go crazy.’’

Asked if he’ll go crazy sitting with his family in Atlanta when the announcement comes, Meeks said he’s keeping calm.

Pausing, he added, “Oh, I’ll scream.’’

Meeks started 33 games in three seasons at Stanford after a stellar career at Del Norte.

As a Cardinal, Meeks intercepted seven passes, returning two of them for touchdowns, one against Iowa in the Rose Bowl and the other at Notre Dame. He also had 121 tackles.

Meeks was invited to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis and also participated in Stanford pro day as well.

“Those are very long days,’’ Meeks said. “There are medical evaluations, interviews with head coaches and assistant coaches and meeting after meeting. They really challenge you mentally. They evaluate everything, pull everything, measure everything and poke everything they can find.

“They want to find out what’s wrong with you before they decide to pay you a lot of money.’’

As in-depth as the pre-draft process is, it’s certainly not infallible.

There’s always a Tom Brady, drafted in the fifth round out of Michigan who turns out to be perhaps the best quarterback in NFL history.

And there’s always a Ryan Leaf, the No. 2 pick in the draft out of Washington State who, selected by the then-San Diego Chargers, turned into one of the biggest flops in draft history.

“I watched an interview Brady did about the draft the other day and he started crying about being a fifth-round pick,’’ Meeks said. “That still bothers him to this day.

“Getting picked for the NFL is all about heart. The coaches want to know what your heart is all about. I sure hope someone in the NFL likes what’s in my heart.’’

Making the decision to leave Stanford after his junior year was one of the toughest things he’s ever done. But Meeks is convinced it was the right thing to do.

“I’ve made a lot of big plays in big games,’’ he said. “I’ve known how to prepare for games like an NFL cornerback my whole life.’’

Meeks will spend the weekend of the draft in Atlanta where his mom still lives. He also has more family there too.

“If I could pick one team, it would be Atlanta,’’ said Meeks, who admitted to having one football concussion thus far. “I grew up there, my mom still lives there, I’m very comfortable in that city. I also went to my first Super Bowl when my dad was the secondary coach with the Falcons.

“But a team is a team. I don’t care who picks me or what city I play in. I just want a chance.’’ He’s certainly been waiting a long time for that chance.