The third round of the NFL draft had just concluded Sunday morning and the former Texas A&M quarterback was still a player without a team.

McGee excused himself from his family gathered around the television in his College Station house. He went outside, took out his frustration on a golf ball - quot;hit it about 1,000 yardsquot; - and then settled into what he calls his quot;grandpa chairquot; on the front porch.

quot;I had my bow and arrows ready,quot; said McGee, an avid hunter and outdoorsman. quot;If another quarterback had been picked in front of me, I promise you I was going to shoot some arrows.quot;

Then his cell phone rang, and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was on the other end.

From anger and angst to elation, just like that.

With the first pick of the fourth round - the 101st overall - McGee became a member of the team he's loved nearly all his life. There's even video evidence: a family film of him as a 6-year-old in his tiny Cowboys uniform, throwing a Football in the yard of his Burnet home.

quot;I'm so excited right now,quot; he said later . quot;I'd much rather go to the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round than any other team in an earlier round.quot;

McGee was one of two Aggies drafted, both in the fourth round. With the 111th overall pick, running back Michael Goodson was selected by the Carolina Panthers.

For McGee, Sunday was the culmination of a path filled with unexpected twists and potholes on his way to the Cowboys.

McGee set state passing records at Burnet High before picking the Aggies over offers from Texas, Oklahoma, Southern Cal and Georgia, among others. But he became an option quarterback under Dennis Franchione at A&M and wasn't destined to be able to display his passing talents to their fullest until Mike Sherman replaced Franchione for the 2008 season and installed a more pro-oriented offense.

McGee, however, tore the labrum in his right, throwing shoulder in the season's second game and played sparingly the rest of the way.

Consequently, most dismissed McGee's NFL dreams. But his father, Rodney, never did.

quot;I know I'm a father, but I still don't feel people really understand Stephen's potential and athleticism,quot; said the elder McGee, a former coach who now is a pastor. quot;You always want your kids to have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. We're just very thankful he's overcome those things, and to go to Dallas is pretty special.quot;

McGee will be the No. 3 quarterback in Dallas behind starter Tony Romo and backup Jon Kitna, a 12-year veteran acquired this offseason.

quot;They're two great guys to learn from,quot; McGee said.

McGee, at 6 feet, 3 inches and 225 pounds, ran a 4.61 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine for the second-fastest time among quarterbacks. He was the fourth quarterback drafted, including West Virginia's Pat White in the second round, who many think will be a receiver in the NFL.

Dallas quot;told me all along they were set on taking me,quot; said McGee, who visited the Cowboys, Denver, Oakland and New England. quot;But I was a little nervous because they'd traded their first pick. I wasn't sure how the pieces were going to fall.quot;

Goodson's selection by Carolina is puzzling because the Panthers are stocked with quality young backs who led them to the No. 3 rushing ranking in the league last year. Third-year pro DeAngelo Williams rushed for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Rookie Jonathan Stewart added 836 yards and 10 TDs.

Goodson said the Panthers might use him as a slot receiver - he caught 90 passes in his A&M career for 860 yards - or as a return man despite returning just one punt at A&M.

quot;Anywhere they put me, I'll be ready to play,quot; he said.

rriggs@statesman.com; 445-3957

Stephen McGee

Position: Quarterback

Drafted: 4th round (101st)

Ht./Wt.: 6-3/225

College: Texas A&M

Outlook: An All-Centex Co-Player of the Year in 2003, Burnet's McGee developed slowly in ex-A&M coach Dennis Franchione's option offense. Mike Sherman brought a pro-style offense last year, but McGee started just three games because of a shoulder injury.

- Lary Bump