MAKING THE ROUNDS

Maybe Cade McNown put it best.

“It’s been a neat experience,” the former UCLA quarterback said Tuesday, “but I’m glad it only happens once.”

He was talking about the process leading up to the NFL draft, when the only thing greater than the scrutiny of the prospects is the uncertainty surrounding them. It is a time when many of the subjects get caught up in the process, even the mock drafts that deserved to be mocked, often being advised not to let their emotions rise and fall with each posting on someone’s Internet site, but then being unable to help themselves and ultimately checking anyway.

Just ask around this town.

The only sure thing--probably, almost for sure--is that USC linebacker Chris Claiborne, the Butkus Award winner and Pacific 10 Conference defensive player of the year, will go in the top 10 when the two-day process begins Saturday morning.

From there, you have a lot of definite maybes.

McNown rising to the teens.

UCLA tackle Kris Farris dropping to the third round, with some speculation that lack of strength could mean a shocking free fall to the fourth.

Some NFL suit standing at the podium in New York on Sunday, the second day, and announcing a selection from Cal State Northridge.

Maybe.

There will be strong Southern California representation. Here’s a look at those waiting to learn the outcome, in alphabetical order:

* Larry Atkins, safety, UCLA--The big question is not whether he will have any energy left for the pros after having spent his senior season trying to cover for the rest of the ragged Bruin secondary, but how scared the pros are about his knee. Atkins missed the second half of the Rose Bowl game because of a ligament injury.

* Brendon Ayanbadejo, linebacker, UCLA--How can teams like a 232-pound linebacker? How can they not like someone with such impressive speed and intensity that Bruin Coach Bob Toledo was fond of saying that Ayanbadejo played like someone with his hair on fire?

* Claiborne--The top two or three spots appear destined for offensive players, but he could go anywhere from four to nine.

* Rashard Cook, safety, USC--Lack of speed is a drawback, but instincts, consistency and a resume that includes starting jobs at strong safety and free safety could push him to the fourth round.

* Donnell Day, cornerback, Northridge--Matador Coach Ron Ponciano lobbied to get Day a spot in the Hula Bowl. Day got the invitation only three days before the Jan. 24 game, then did the rest. “He jumped on to the scene,” Ponciano said. “There were a lot of [NFL] people scrambling after that.”

Day is only 5 feet 9, so it’s no sure thing he will be drafted. But he has the pros’ attention.

* Farris--He came out a year early, after winning the Outland Trophy, with hopes of going in the first round, but indications now are that even making it as high as the second would be on what-could-be and not present-day contributions. “I think he’ll be drafted on potential,” McNown said. Added Toledo: “They said he’s not as strong as they’d like him to be right now. That’s the knock.”

On the other hand, he’s 6-7 1/2 and 313 pounds. That’s the boost.

* Mike Grieb, tight end, UCLA--A possibility for the second day.

* Ken Haslip, cornerback, USC--He played wide receiver early in 1997 and wasn’t even a full-time starter in ’98 after being moved back to the secondary, but the pros are interested. Speed has a lot to do with that.

* Daylon McCutcheon, cornerback, USC--The Trojans are figuring late first round/early second. “If he goes much lower than that, I’ll be surprised,” Coach Paul Hackett said.

* McNown--The first round, once a possibility, has become likely. Teams midway through that bracket are showing interest, a testament to his toughness and find-a-way-to-win mentality. “All the ones that have me high are right on the ball,” he said, laughing. Seattle, at No. 17, spent part of last week questioning UCLA coaches.

Said Hackett, the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs before coming to USC: “He’s a little short [6-0 1/2], he doesn’t have enough of an arm. But I think he’s a real player.”

* Larry Parker, wide receiver, USC--The subject of more calls to the Trojan staff than any other USC player. “Everyone wants to know,” Hackett said. Mostly how Parker played last season after sitting out 1997 because of foot problems. The third round seems realistic, but Parker is 6-2 and has speed, so the second remains a possibility.

* On the bubble--Mike Bastianelli, the sure-handed receiver from USC; Melvin Blue, who started his career at Utah State before going to Northridge for his senior season, just in time to play behind an inexperienced line and have a disappointing campaign; Billy Miller, the 6-3 receiver from USC; Andy Meyers, the All-Pac 10 guard from UCLA; Ryan Neufeld, UCLA tight end and special teams; Bruin kicker/punter Chris Sailer, who struggled with injury in 1998 but showed as a junior he had 50-yard distance on field goals.

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NFL DRAFT 1999

WHEN: Saturday

WHERE: New York

FIRST 10 PICKS

1. Cleveland

2. Philadelphia

3. Cincinnati

4. Indianapolis

5. Washington

6. St. Louis

7. Chicago

8. Arizona

9. Detroit

10. Baltimore.

TV: ESPN, 9 a.m.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

NFL Draft Order

Order for the first round of the NFL draft to be held Saturday and Sunday in New York:

1. Cleveland

2. Philadelphia

3. Cincinnati

4. Indianapolis

5. Washington (from Carolina)

6. St. Louis

7. Chicago

8. Arizona (from San Diego)

9. Detroit

10. Baltimore

11. Minnesota (from Washington)

12. New Orleans

13. Pittsburgh

14. Kansas City

15. Tampa Bay

16. Tennessee

17. Seattle

18. Oakland

19. New York Giants

20. New England

21. Arizona

22. Dallas

23. Buffalo

24. Miami

25. Green Bay

26. Jacksonville

27. San Francisco

28. New England (from New York Jets)

29. Minnesota

30. Atlanta

31. Denver

* SWITCHING TEAMS? Sources say Michael Ovitz is preparing to drop his bid for an NFL expansion team in Carson and to join the New Coliseum team. A14