That's why the San Antonio native isn't worried about his disappointing 40-yard dash showing at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Likewise, he isn't putting much stock in having recorded the top vertical and broad jumps among the wide receivers in Indianapolis.

"I don't think NFL players are training for the 40 or the vertical jump," Dillard said. "They are training to run plays and win Super Bowls."

The Sam Houston graduate ran the 40 in only 4.54 seconds last week, but wowed scouts with a vertical jump of 421/2 inches and a broad jump of 10 feet, 9 inches.

What does it all mean?

Not much, Dillard said.

"I tried my best at the combine, and I think I did very well," he said. "But I don't put much into what someone can run or jump. I think it's more important to ask these questions about receivers: 'Do they drop the ball? How do they play in special situations? What does film of them in college show?' "

The answer to that last question, in Dillard's case, is plenty. In four seasons at Rice, he caught an NCAA-record 60 touchdowns, including 20 last season.

Those numbers caught the attention of the Dallas Cowboys , one of three teams that interviewed Dillard at the combine.

"It was a great experience," Dillard said of his conversations with Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and receivers coach Ray Sherman. "We did a lot of chalk talk, drawing up plays, talking about defenses."

In helping Rice to a 10-3 record last season, Dillard snagged 87 passes for a career-best 1,310 yards.

But it's Dillard's competitive fire that guarantees NFL success, Owls coach David Bailiff said.

"He's proved people wrong his entire life," Bailiff said. "He plays with great passion and a chip on his shoulder. And there hasn't been a day he hasn't tried to get better."

Those attributes, though, probably won't prevent Dillard from becoming a second-day pick. In a draft deep with receivers, most analysts project him to go in the fourth or fifth round.

"Here's the thing about him, there's just really a ton of good receivers," NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt said. "There are big guys, fast guys, receivers of all types. It's an unusual crop."

Still, Brandt said he believes the team that chooses Dillard could wind up with a steal.

"He has got really good, strong hands and he can jump out of the stadium," Brandt said. "At 5-foot-10, 191 pounds, he's not a very big guy. But he runs really good routes and has good acceleration coming out of them. He reminds you a lot of (Hall of Famer) Steve Largent."

Dillard is attractive to the Cowboys for another reason. On a team with few take-charge types, he'd be a welcome addition.

"He was captain of this team for three years," Bailiff said. "When have you ever heard of a sophomore being a captain? He'll let his (teammates) know what's on his mind and he'll let them know if he doesn't think they are working hard enough."

The Buffalo Bills and the Detroit Lions were the other teams that interviewed Dillard in Indianapolis.

"It doesn't matter who drafts me or where I get drafted," Dillard said. "I just want to get on an NFL team and show what I can do."