For the first time in years, former Northwest Missouri State offensive lineman Tom Pestock was only a spectator — not a competitor — at the regional Golden Gloves boxing championships.

He was saving himself for what increasingly looks like a legitimate shot to put on a National Football League uniform.

Pestock spent this spring working out with former Chiefs guard Will Shields and personal trainer Billy Long, who recommended the prospect to agent Kevin Van Ry of Reno, Nev.

Pestock, a 6-foot-6, 300-pound guard from Lenexa, Kan., is hoping to hear from an NFL team this weekend with the news that he has been drafted. But even if he doesn’t get that phone call, there’s a good bet his football career isn’t over.

“Philly has already called and talked about a deal as a preferred free agent if I don’t get drafted,” Pestock said. “It looks like I’m definitely going to get into a camp.”

The Eagles were just one of about 10 teams to show significant interest in the huge guard. All 10 of those teams called Pestock during the past week to confirm his telephone number — a good sign that he’s somewhere on their shopping list.

The Kansas City Chiefs are among the teams showing the most interest, bringing him back for another look last week after seeing Pestock at pro day workouts on the Missouri and Northwest campuses.

“I had a lot of scouts call me and tell me I moved well and was a strong kid,” Pestock said. “I think things went really well.”

Other teams showing interest include Indianapolis, Arizona, Tennessee, Cleveland and New England, Pestock said.

Van Ry has said the former Bearcat could go in the seventh round on Sunday. That, Pestock said, would fulfill a dream.

“It would mean a lot to get drafted,” Pestock said, admitting to some nervousness during the wait. “Being a small-school guy, that would be an accomplishment. I just hope someone pulls the trigger.”

Sports reporter Rick Dunaway can be reached at rickd@npgco.com