Green Bay The central Wisconsin village of Iola is best known for the vintage car show that attracts thousands each July and its rich Scandinavian heritage.

Now the close-knit community 20 miles east of Stevens Point can lay claim as the hometown of the top prospect from the state for the National Football League draft.

Meet Austen Lane, the pride of Iola-Scandinavia High School and Murray State University and soon-to-be NFL defensive end or outside linebacker. Expect him to be selected in the middle rounds, perhaps as early as the third. [img_r]http://offsideswithfletcher.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/austen-lane.jpg[/img_r]

Legitimate NFL candidates have become increasingly scarce in small-town Wisconsin. When one does surface, it's always a wonder how the story unfolded.

"I don't think I quite understand how rare it is," Lane said last week. "Obviously, I stood out in school and everything, not only because I was black but also because of my height. Iola is a great place. The whole town is proud of me and supporting me. I was really blessed to have that."

Born in Chicago, Lane grew up in Iola after his mother, Julie Maher, went back to her hometown following a divorce when Austen was 2. Austen's father, Dennis, who played defensive end at UW-Stevens Point, has had infrequent contact with him.

Lane was the scourge of the Central Wisconsin Conference, leading the Thunderbirds to three straight CWC (Small) championships in both football and basketball. He also qualified for the WIAA state track meet in two events as a senior.

He remembers a memorable senior year in which I-S fell to Fond du Lac Springs in the football playoffs and to Manitowoc Roncalli in a Division 3 sectional final in basketball.

In 2005-'06, Lane had 14 1/2 sacks and five blocked punts on the gridiron and averaged about 15 points on the court.

"Some of my closest friends are the guys I went to high school with," said Lane. "We played Pop Warner as kids. I took great pride in hitting everybody. At the same time, I was mostly recruited as a tight end."

Wisconsin, the state's only scholarship football school, showed considerable interest in Lane but made no offer. Some Division II schools in Minnesota and South Dakota wanted Lane, but their partial scholarships were less than what he was seeking.

After sending tapes across the country, Lane drew interest from the University of Massachusetts. When the Minutemen ran out of rides, their coach called the new coach at Murray State, a Division I-AA school in Murray, Ky.

"They checked the tape out and about two days later, about a week before signing date, they basically said I had a full scholarship," said Lane. "I thought Murray State actually was on the East Coast. But it was my goal since grade school to get a scholarship in football so I just wanted to roll with it. It was sight unseen on both parts."

Despite carrying a mere 215 pounds on his 6-foot-6 frame, Lane didn't redshirt and quickly began his career as a four-year starter at defensive end. The Racers didn't win much (11-34) during Lane's four seasons, but he prospered, getting bigger and better each year.

Last fall, he was named the top defensive player in the Ohio Valley Conference.

"He's got a great frame and long arms," a personnel director for an AFC team said. "Really developed some pass-rushing ability. Not a great athlete, but pretty decent."

Lane's star rose in January when another player backed out of the Senior Bowl and he got a call to participate. A month later, he worked out well at the combine.

At 275 pounds, Lane is a bit of a tweener. Most scouts seem to think he's best suited for end in a 4-3 defense, but those for 3-4 teams toy with the idea of bulking him up to play end or using him at linebacker.

"He's not a strong power guy yet," an NFC scout said. "He's going to have to redevelop his lower body. He does have some pop in his upper. He's got really good initial quickness and he runs pretty well."

Of eight scouts asked to predict where Lane would be drafted, two said fourth round, two said fifth, two said sixth, one said "probably third or fourth, fourth being the latest" and one said "mid to late."

Lane impressed at least one personnel man at the Senior Bowl with what the scout said was extreme hustle. Part of that probably stems from Lane's screaming, emotional style of play.

"I have kind of a split personality," he said. "Off the field I'm kind of a chill guy. On the field, something just clicks and I'm always shouting. Basically, I'm like a kid on the playground."

It won't be long before that kid, a semester away from a degree in journalism and mass communications, will be playing in stadiums seating 70,000. But Lane won't forget the citizens of Iola, nor will they forget him.