It was a swing and a miss for Kansas University football players in this year’s NFL Draft. But that doesn’t mean the story can’t end on a happy note.

The draft wrapped up Sunday without a Jayhawk being selected among the 255 picks. Though Charles Gordon, Charlton Keith and Nick Reid weren’t can’t-miss prospects, the fact that NFL personnel didn’t consider any of them worthy of being drafted was a bit of a surprise.

“By far,” Keith said. “But you know, the draft is tricky. Some players don’t go where they’re expected, and some go unexpectedly.”

Free agency now is the only chance to crack NFL rosters. Four Jayhawks agreed to contracts Sunday – Gordon with the Minnesota Vikings, Keith with the Cleveland Browns, Reid with the Kansas City Chiefs and Mark Simmons with the San Diego Chargers.

Though Simmons, a wide receiver, came on strong in pre-draft workouts to earn his chance, lack of speed seemed to be an underlying factor in the disappointments of Gordon, Keith and Reid. Gordon’s 40-yard-dash time at the NFL Combine wasn’t impressive. For a projected linebacker, neither was Keith’s. Reid didn’t even get a Combine invitation, perhaps foreshadowing how NFL scouts felt about the linebacker.

But for Keith, a free-agent opportunity trumped being drafted late. He was able to choose between playing for the Browns or agreeing to terms with the Chiefs, a franchise just down the road from Lawrence. He eventually chose Cleveland, close to his hometown of Akron, Ohio.

According to his agent, Keith was a priority free-agent target, so financial aspects of his contract weren’t too different from those of a seventh-round pick. Keith also said he had a 3-year old daughter in Ohio, and now will be able to spend time with her while pursuing his NFL dream.

“When you get to this situation where the money is pretty comparable, you’re better off (being a free agent),” said Steve Kauffman, Keith’s agent. “He could’ve been drafted by a team that he had a lot worse chance of making.”

Gordon, meanwhile, may have reason to be the most disappointed. He was one of 48 early entries in this year’s draft, and 33 of them were selected this weekend. Of the 15 who weren’t, several had unusual circumstances that led them to declare in the first place, such as getting dismissed from their teams or losing playing time.

Gordon, who left after his junior season, was in good graces at KU and expected to be a leader for the 2006 Jayhawks. Instead, he’ll have plenty to prove this summer with the Vikings, a franchise that has little hinging on his success – unlike the investment that comes with high draft picks.

Still, Gordon’s agent said the all-purpose college standout wasn’t looking back at the final season at KU he passed up.

“With what he knows today,” Kenny Zuckerman said, “I still think he’d come out and give it a shot at the next level.”

Zuckerman said Gordon, who couldn’t be reached for comment Sunday, remained upbeat about his decision to turn pro. Keith also expressed optimism about his professional aspirations, despite 16 hours of draft-watching coming and going without his name being called this weekend.

“I feel I got a great chance to make the team,” Keith said. “I’m excited.”