Sunday, Jan. 31 4:10am ET
On pins and needles
The upcoming NFL draft is turning out to be both nerve racking and exciting for one potential first round pick. UCLA offensive tackle Kris Farris hit the ESPN.com Super Bowl chat room and discussed his feelings about the draft.

The Outand Trophy winner told users that he doesn't care where he gets drafted but said he is keeping his fingers crossed that the 49ers pick him up.

Check out this edited transcript from Farris' Jan. 30 chat from his agent, Leigh Steinberg's pre-Super Bowl party.

 Kris Farris
 Farris is leaving UCLA early to take his chances in the NFL.

Dana-bruin fan: With you and Cade and a few others leaving this season, and a very young defense, do you think the Bruins will be able to compete next year for the national Championship?

Kris Farris: I think so. They have a lot of returning talent like Dan Farmer who was our best receiver and only the second UCLA receiver to catch over a thousand yards in passes. DeShaun Foster, who could be the next big thing in college football and Freddie Mitchell, who I think will be a big-time player at UCLA.

Anytime you have players like that, it is hard not to compete for a national championship. I wouldn't be surprised if they are ranked in the preseason Top 10. If they finish strong, there is no reason they shouldn't compete for it.

Bruinwinna: Where do you think you are going to play in the NFL, LT or RT? Since Cade was a lefty, are teams concerned about you protecting a QB's blind side?

Kris Farris: A lot of different teams do it a lot of different ways. Some teams need a tackle right away and if that was the case then I would probably play left tackle. If I was fortunate enough to be able to play right tackle (which I prefer), I could learn the ropes of the system before going over to the left.

It is hard going and playing on the left because that is the blind side of the quarterback.

TGrec: What made you leave UCLA?

Kris Farris: It was just time for me to leave. After discussing it with my family, I just came to the conclusion that I had accomplished what I wanted at UCLA and it was time to move on to the next challenge.

Greg: Was the Miami loss the biggest disappointment of your career?

Kris Farris: Yes, you can't say that any time you lose a shot at the national title in the final two minutes of a game, that it isn't the most disappointing thing. It was and it was hard to deal with.

Frank: Who do you think is going to win the Super Bowl?

Kris Farris: I thought it was going to be Atlanta earlier but I think they have gotten a little too cocky. So I have switched my vote back to Denver, although I think it will be close.

I say they are cocky because I just think it is their attitude. The underdogs should be silent and let their play on the field do the talking. But that is not their style.

Scott McGuffin: After a great career at UCLA, and being represented by Leigh Steinberg, would you like to play for 49ers now that Terry Donahue is there?

Kris Farris: That is my dream team actually. Most of the time you don't end up playing for your dream team and you end up going against them. That could easily happen.

But if I am fortunate enough to get drafted by the 49ers, I would probably be the happiest offensive linemen in the draft. It would be a great opportunity.

Ronnie Are there any teams you would really like or not like to play for?

Kris Farris: The NFL is the NFL and any team that drafts me, it will be a great honor to play for them.

Tom: Are you excited or more nervous about the upcoming draft?

Kris Farris: It is a little bit of both. I am excited because it is such a great opportunity and a great experience. But I am a little nervous because you never know what is going to happen on draft day. Someone could be a first round pick and them something could happen the night of the draft and you could slip to the third round.

The draft is just a big game itself so it is exciting and nerve racking.

TGrec: Should your season have turned out better then what it finished?

Kris Farris: Any time you win 10 games, it is a great season. I started my career there we were 7-5 and the next year we were 5-6. So to win 10 games was a great year.

Stan: What's it like partying with Steinberg and all of the NFL stars?

Kris Farris: It is kind of fun. Last night I met Dennis Rodman and Oliver Stone. I had lunch today with Senator Ted Kennedy.

Anytime you have those kind of opportunities, you can't really beat 'em.

A couple of weeks I ago I was sitting in my apartment near UCLA and now I am here. It has been a whirlwind but very exciting.

That's all the time I have for now. Thanks for all the questions. Take care.


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