DeKALB | Garrett Wolfe saw it coming from a mile away. We all did.

Time and time again, NIU’s human water bug has put up with the ‘He’s too short, undersized, isn’t big enough to play football’ sh…, um, stuff.

And fans have got to love that SI.com’s Don Banks was under the impression the NCAA’s 2006 leading rusher was from Illinois State. Well, that was until he edited his online story Sunday afternoon.

At every level it’s been this way for Wolfe, so why would the NFL be any different?

Being selected on day one of the NFL Draft this past Saturday by the Chicago Bears has brought about more negative then positive press for both parties.

It began the second after Wolfe was taken in the third round.

The puzzled looks of ESPN’s draft crew covered the television screen as highlights of Wolfe played on.

But let this reporter tell you, Wolfe in ESPN HD looks that much more ridiculous than non-high definition Wolfe (tear).

And as Wolfe-reels, as they shall not be called highlight reels from this day forth, played on the TV, the flood gates of criticism burst wide open.

The great and glorious draft connoisseurs granted us the liberty of hearing nothing different about Wolfe than any other critic has droned on about in the past.

As great a story it is for Wolfe to stay home, it might turn out to be worse than first thought.

Chicago’s local radio draft analysts on ESPN 1000, as well as NIU students that follow the Bears, are worried the Bears may have taken the wrong guy.

Louisville’s Michael Bush was on the board, and there’s no arguing that if he returns from his season ending injury, Bush’s body is more than built to handle the rigors of the NFL.

The fact teammate Doug Free was projected to be picked before Wolfe most likely did not help his draft persona either.

However, the best thing about Wolfe is he has never cared about what the media says. The Mel Kiper Jr.’s and Todd McShay’s of the world aren’t in the draft rooms anyway.

Of course, the Bears will tell you Wolfe was their guy, and NIU’s own will be more than happy to let you know it’s the prefect fit. And at least the Bears have cause to back it up after taking a Division-II player with their first pick last year and making the Super Bowl.

So, here’s some different food for thought.

The main story of this year’s draft was whether or not teams would gamble on players of questionable character with the NFL’s new player conduct policies.

Wolfe is not only extremely talented, but a man of great character. The guy signed autographs for kids who jumped him as soon as he walked in the door at an NIU volleyball game this year. And he signed every last one.

Perhaps Wolfe’s size will catch up with him in the NFL. But the mere suggestion of Wolfe lining up along with Chicago’s Devin Hester on kick returns is flat-out wrong.

Wolfe’s not an every-down back, but he adds another dimension to the Bears. And he’ll be the last player you’d find in a jail cell.

At least, well, alright, we’ll leave the Cincinnati Bengal jokes for another day.