The waiting has finally ended.

When the New England Patriots used their late third-round pick in the NFL draft (No. 86 overall) Saturday to take Arizona defensive end Tedy Bruschi, the NCAA's most prolific pass rusher could finally relax and enjoy the rest of the draft.

"I knew in my mind all year that I was one of the top defensive players in college football," Bruschi said. "That's the way I felt about it and that's the way I still feel about it. But it's different in the pro ranks. I realize that. I realize that people put a lot of emphasis on looks and size."

Bruschi's teammate on the defensive line, Chuck Osborne, was selected yesterday by St. Louis with the 13th pick of the seventh round (222nd overall). Coincidentally, Osborne is the Rams third pick from Arizona in the last two years. Last year, the Rams, who are coached by former Oregon head coach Rich Brooks, selected kicker Steve McLaughlin and cornerback Mike Scurlock.

Arizona quarterback Dan White and safety Brandon Sanders were considered possibilities but were not drafted.

Bruschi, a two-time All-American, found Saturday that his NCAA record-tying 52 sacks were not enough to overcome his relatively small size (6-foot-2, 250 pounds) at the defensive line position.

Yet a successful college career that included a 1993 defensive MVP award in the Fiesta Bowl and 74 career tackles for losses helped Bruschi to attract the interest of the Patriots.

"I don't think there's a question about his capabilities or any question that he'll make everybody around him better," UA head coach Dick Tomey said. "So many teams were concerned about his physical stats in terms of height and weight, but in terms of productivity, I wouldn't trade him for anybody in the draft. Obviously, his impact on our team was enormous."

Earlier in the week, some NFL scouts had said that Bruschi would probably be best suited to a role of being a rusher in nickel and dime formations. And with the passing attack of the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills of the AFC East, it would seem that the Patriots will be utilizing multiple defensive back settings, which would allow Bruschi to zero in on the opposing quarterback.

In addition to New England's 3-4 defensive scheme, Bruschi will have an opportunity to learn from two of the best teachers in football in head coach Bill Parcells and defensive coordinator Bill Belichek. Parcells helped groom one of the league's most successful core of linebackers in the mid-1980s, consisting of Lawrence Taylor, Carl Banks and Pepper Johnson.

"That [system] gives him a chance to be a rush end-outside linebacker, where he can rush a lot, drop back a little," Tomey said. "That's what he's best suited for. I'm really happy for him. I think he'll play forever."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.