Evan Jacobson

Special to NFL.com

(Draftees from the 2005 NFL Draft sat down for a couple minutes and shared their thoughts and feelings about being picked. This entry comes from running back Aaron Rodgers, selected No. 24 by the Green Bay Packers).

What were you thinking in the back?

I got a lot of text messages and calls from people encouraging me. I am a big believer in everything happens for a reason. If you look at my career, not being recruited out of high school going to a big college and getting lucky when coach (Jeff) Tedford saw me while looking for a tight end. I just got a great feeling that this is where I'm supposed to be and am going to make the most of it. I'm excited.

Were you afraid that you were going to slip into the second round?

You know, when things kept falling and falling, I was worried that it might happen. But I'm just so excited that Green Bay took me and are excited about me. I think we will have a great future together whenever it might start.

Did you sense that you became a favorite of the crowd here and that they too didn't want to see you fall out of the first round?

It was a phenomenal feeling walking up those steps and hearing the crowd. I had a lot of my friends and family here and I really appreciate it. It felt great. It is one of my top moments in my career in sports, living out a dream and getting a great response from the fans. I think they understood what I was going through and I just really appreciate it.

Green Bay and the possibility to replace Brett Favre. Can you even comprehend that?

I don't think you can ever replace a legend. When my time comes I'm going try to be the best player I can be. I'm just excited to be able to tap into his knowledge and just become a better player every day -- mimic him, watch him, see what he does, how he improves from week to week -- and find out how to be successful in the NFL.

We know that you are huge (Joe ) Montana fan, but do you see yourself now as more like Steve Young who was tutored by Montana and you by Favre?

Aaron Rodgers is anxious to start learning from Brett Favre.

Did you think you were going to Oakland when they traded up?

You know. Al Davis has a reputation for doing different things in the draft. When he traded up I looked at my agent and said, 'Is this going to be it? Am I going to stay in the Bay Area?' It is only about 15 minutes from my house and you never know. I was just waiting all day for the phone to ring and it didn't until the Packers called. Even at first they were like, "Let me talk to your agent." I was like, 'uh-oh'. But it all worked out and they picked me. There is no In and Out Burger in Green Bay. I'll manage. I guess I'll have to get used to bratwurst.