Only one thing matters more, Dwight "Bill" Bentley suggested, than hearing what team has picked him in this week’s NFL Draft.

That, according to the Ragin’ Cajuns former star cornerback, is simply knowing that he’s been chosen.

"Just to hear my name called," Bentley said when asked recently what he’ll look forward to most as the draft unfolds Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Radio City Music Hall in New York. "That’s the first thing I want to know."

And that really would be sweet music to Bentley’s ears.

"It will be a blessing," he said, "to hear my name called."

It may not happen Thursday night, when the draft’s first round is held. But it very well could happen Friday night, when rounds 2 and 3 are scheduled. And, if not by then, it’s seemingly bound to happen Saturday, when the final four rounds of the draft are planned.

Whenever it is, Bentley will turn to family first to celebrate the news.

Andrea Bentley’s son said recently that he plans to spend draft days awaiting word with relatives in his native Pahokee, Fla., where he played first at Pahokee High — helping his team win three Class 2A state championships — before spending a redshirt season at Dodge City (Kan.) Community College and four full years from 2008-11 at UL.

Bentley was a starter since his freshman season with the Cajuns, when he opened 10 of 12 games at cornerback.

"I’m going to be in Pahokee with my parents, just enjoying the time with them," he said, "and just to shed that tear when hopefully I hear my name called.

"They’ve supported me so much. They’ve supported me more than anybody I know. In my four years, they (family members) drove up from Pahokee, Florida, to Louisiana at least 12 times — a 12-hour drive, in two vans — to just come to games.

"I love them," Bentley added, "and I just thank God for all the support I got from them."

They watched Bentley throughout a career that culminated with a 9-4 senior season and a New Orleans Bowl win over San Diego State, one in which he earned All-Sun Belt Conference honors after making 71 tackles and intercepting three passes.

Two of Bentley’s three INTs in 2011 were pick-sixes, one in a loss at Oklahoma State and the other in a win over Nicholls State.

Since then, Bentley played in the Senior Bowl at Mobile, took part in the NFL Pre-Draft Combine at Indianapolis and participated in UL’s own NFL Draft Pro Day.

"He’s really improved his stock (since the season ended)," Cajuns head coach Mark Hudspeth said Tuesday. "He had a good Senior Bowl, and I think he helped himself at the combine.

"I think he’s going to do well. "» He’s got great instincts. Phenomenal instincts."

Bentley reportedly has had private visits with both Indianapolis and St. Louis, making for quite a whirlwind of activity since the Cajuns closed last season with a bowl win over the Aztecs that marked UL’s first postseason appearance since the 1970 Grantland Rice Bowl.

"It’s been overwhelming," Bentley said of the whole draft process, "but that’s what they (NFL scouts and player personnel) want.

"They want to see how you react to stuff like that. "» "They overwhelm you with so much, but I was able to handle the pressure very well."

And all Bentley wants now is be able to react when he hears his name, and — when he does see the faces of those who matter to him.

"It (doesn’t) matter," he said, "where I get picked."

Just that he is.

2012 NFL DRAFT

WHERE: New York City
WHEN: Round 1: Thursday, 7 p.m.; Rounds 2-3: Friday, 6 p.m.; Rounds 4-7: Saturday, 11 a.m.
TV: ESPN, NFL Network
UL PROSPECTS: Cornerback Dwight "Bill" Bentley, tight end Ladarius Green

UL DBs Drafted
2005 "” C.C. Brown (6th) Texans
2003 "” Ivan Taylor (4th) Steelers
2003 "” Charles Tillman (2nd) Bears
2002 "” Brad Franklin (7th) Panthers
1995 "” Orlando Thomas (2nd) Vikings
1989 "” Thomas King (8th) Packers