The ESPN cameras showed Rashard Mendenhall jammed into a booth at the House of Blues in Chicago's Loop looking alternately giddy and concerned.

That's how it is when the biggest decision of your life is completely out of your control.

Mendenhall, the record-setting running back from the University of Illinois, was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers No. 23 overall in the first round of Saturday's NFL Draft. And though that was slightly lower than projected, Mendenhall said he's happy to be headed to his new career as a professional football player.

"It's a great feeling right now to finally be picked by a great organization and a great team," Mendenhall said Saturday evening. "It feels good. To be the fourth running back chosen, I feel good about where I am. I'll do what I have to do."

Mendenhall said the pick was something of a surprise since he'd had almost no contact from the Steelers since the NFL Scouting Combine in February in Indianapolis.

Mendenhall said he's eager to see how he fits in with a Steelers team that took him despite not having a glaring need at running back.

"To tell you the truth, how I fit in is something I'll find out as I go along," he said. "I feel like it's a good fit. I'll be happy just to contribute."

Most mock drafts projected Mendenhall going anywhere from No. 13 to Carolina to No. 16 to Arizona, with the Chicago Bears (No. 14) and Detroit Lions (No. 15) thought to have an interest.

But Carolina went for another running back, Oregon's Jonathan Stewart, and the Bears decided to address their most pressing need and took offensive tackle Chris Williams of Vanderbilt.

Detroit traded its pick to Kansas City, and Arizona opted to take a cornerback.

When Detroit finally did pick at No. 17, the Lions took an offensive lineman. The Dallas Cowboys, picking at No. 22, were thinking running back but selected Felix Jones of Arkansas, which brought the Steelers into play at No. 23.

The Steelers are not in desperate need for a running back. Willie Parker, a fourth-year tailback from North Carolina, rushed for 1,494 yards and reached the Pro Bowl in 2006, then ran for 1,316 yards last season. He is backed up by Najeh Davenport.

Mendenhall won't be the only former Illini player on the Pittsburgh roster. In fact, he won't be the only former Illini in the Steelers' backfield. Fullback Carey Davis, a 2003 Illini grad, is with the Steelers and can help show Mendenhall the ropes.

Mendenhall became a viable first-round pick after a breakout junior season in which he rushed for 1,681 yards, 17 touchdowns and was named the Big Ten Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He capped his season by rushing for 155 yards and a touchdown in the Rose Bowl against Southern Cal.

Then, less than two weeks later, he announced he would forego his senior year and make himself eligible for the draft.

Once his decision had been reached, Illini coaches pointed out to the pros that Mendenhall "had low mileage" and had not accumulated the wear and tear of some college running backs. As an example, Mendenhall had 388 carries in his entire career. By comparison, Rutgers' Ray Rice carried 380 times this past season alone. And Michigan's Mike Hart, a workhorse for four seasons, racked up 1,015 carries in his career.

Mendenhall said he didn't know what he might to do to celebrate. His family and friends joined him for a draft day party at the House of Blues.

"You get anxious as the picks go on," he said. "You want to get picked, and it gets kind of nerve-racking. It's just a relief, a good feeling."

Illini linebacker J Leman will have to wait for today to see if his name is called. The first two rounds were conducted Saturday with rounds three through seven on tap today. Leman could be selected in a late round or he could be one of several Illini players to get an invitation to a team's camp as a free agent.

Mark Tupper can be reached at mtupper@herald-review.com or 421-7983.