Tyler Hendrickson is an NFL-sized offensive lineman at 6 feet 8, 330 pounds. He has talked to several NFL teams about being drafted and is optimistic somebody will select him.

He doesn’t appear concerned that playing at a Division II program such as Concordia-St. Paul will hurt his chances of being drafted. At least he didn’t come off that way when we talked.

BS: I’ve got to ask: How does a guy who’s 6-8, 330 pounds not wind up at a Division I football program?

TH: I went to a St. Paul public school.

BS: Is that really why?

TH: I went to St. Paul Johnson. My main goal was to go somewhere for hockey. I was only 200 to 215 pounds. We had a running back named Chris Atkins. The only reason I got picked up was everywhere he ran, he was right behind me.

BS: You weighed 115 pounds less when you started college than you do now. When did you have your growth spurt?

TH: My freshman year I came in at 6-7, 245 pounds as a tight end. They asked me to play tackle, and I put on 50 to 60 pounds after my freshman year. I went on the McDonald’s diet and grew into my frame my junior year.

BS: Still on that McDonald’s diet?

TH: Now, it’s more of a meat and rice diet.

BS: Don’t be modest now. Did you dominate defensive linemen at the Division II level?

TH: I’d like to think so. There’s a play here or there where they got the upper hand. For the majority of time, it was easier for me (to dominate).

BS: What was the smallest defensive lineman you faced?

TH: The biggest kid was the kid I went against every day in practice, and he was 280 pounds. I would go against kids 230 to 270 pounds, and they were 6-1 to 6-2.

BS: Have you been hearing from NFL teams?

TH: Yes. I’ve had interviews with Jacksonville, Miami and Buffalo.

BS: What type of things were you asked?

TH: A lot of them saw my film. The stuff they asked was, “How do you feel about coming from Division II?” The way I look at it, I gave up four sacks in two years. That’s over 1,800 plays, and one is questionable. No matter where you play, Division I or Division II, that is something to be proud of. I was the top nominee for two years as a lineman (for the Gene Upshaw Lineman of the Year Award). Coming from a Division II program doesn’t bother me. I went to class every day. I got a top education.

BS: Any idea when you’ll be drafted?

TH: I’m told I’m a sixth-round-type guy. I was told not to be surprised if I haven’t talked to the team that will draft me.

BS: Has it been a dream of yours to play for the Vikings?

TH: I’d love to stay home and play in front of my community and do anything I can to help the Vikings get to where they used to be. But I’ll play for anybody and play any position. My first three years, I was a right tackle. They moved me to left tackle my junior and senior year, and I was a two-time All-American.

BS: Do you have a message for the Vikings, such as, “Don’t bother drafting Matt Kalil with the third overall pick. Just take me later, and I’ll be your left tackle for the next decade.”

TH: I would like to think I can play right away. I know I have some stuff to work on, with strength. I think I have the footwork to play tackle. I’m athletic. I know that. I’m very smart when it comes to football, and having the size and frame I have, I know I can play right away.

BS: What are your plans if the NFL doesn’t pan out?

TH: I want to be in the federal system in law enforcement. My father and older brother work in the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center. My freshman year, I worked in the jail. As exciting as it is, I’d like to play in the NFL for 10-plus years.