When Nate Dwyer was 3 years old, his mother went to Kmart and bought her young football fan a Dallas Cowboys replica uniform.

Some day soon, Dwyer will be suiting up in authentic NFL gear. The former Kansas University lineman was drafted in the fourth round Sunday by the Arizona Cardinals.

Kansas defensive lineman Nate Dwyer (92) was selected in the fourth round of the NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday in New York.

“This is a dream come true for him,” said Dwyer’s mom, Wendy Hudson.

Before the weekend Dwyer (6-foot-3, 313 pounds) had said he didn’t think he could stand to watch the draft on television, but he watched three rounds without being drafted on Saturday and saw 14 more players selected ahead of him Sunday.

“It was tough,” said Dwyer, the ninth defensive tackle taken in the draft and the 113th pick overall. “Watching it was making me more nervous. I had it on, and they called me right before they picked me.”

When Dwyer answered his phone, Joe Greene was on the line.

The Joe Greene?

“‘Mean Joe’ Greene,” Dwyer said of Arizona’s defensive line coach, who was an integral part of Pittsburgh’s “Steel Curtain” defense in the 1970s. “I couldn’t believe it. It’s unbelievable. As a defensive lineman, he’s the pinnacle. He’s one of the best ever to play the game.”

It actually was Dwyer’s second conversation with Greene, who called the lineman after the NFL Combine in March. This time, Greene told Dwyer he expected the KU lineman to contribute as a rookie.

Dwyer, who was uncertain when he would sign a contract, said he would report to minicamp May 3 determined to make the team.

“I don’t want to get overconfident,” said Dwyer, who made 51 tackles, forced two fumbles and recovered two fumbles last season. “I have to go in there and perform and do the things I’ve done in the past. I have to stay aggressive. I’m not assuming anything. Being drafted doesn’t mean anything until you make the team.”

Arizona’s defense needs help. The Cardinals were 7-9 last season and fourth in the NFC East when they ranked 28th in the NFL in total defense, allowing an average of 21.4 points and 355.3 yards a game.

The Cardinals used four of their first five picks on defense. Arizona drafted Wisconsin defensive tackle Wendell Bryant in the first round, North Carolina linebacker Levar Fisher in the second round, Kentucky defensive end Dennis Johnson and Sam Houston State quarterback Josh McCown in the third round and Dwyer in the fourth.

“They’re definitely trying to improve on defense,” Dwyer said. “They want me to come in and be a contributor on the inside and help stop the run.”

Dwyer, a former Jayhawk Scholar, took this semester off to prepare for the draft. He said he plans to return to KU in the offseason and complete the 15 hours he needs to earn his degree in communications.

“I’m really happy for him,” Hudson said. “I wished he could have stayed in school and gotten his degree. I told him not going back was not an option.”

Dwyer wasn’t the only Jayhawk to hear his name called Sunday. Tennessee selected offensive lineman Justin Hartwig in the sixth round of the seven-round draft. Hartwig (6-4, 300) was the 187th pick overall.

He was talking to Titans coach Jeff Fisher on the phone when his selection was announced on television.

“My family and friends were screaming, and I could hardly hear him talking,” Hartwig said. “It was overwhelming.”

The Titans liked what they saw in Hartwig, though he wasn’t the most high-profile lineman in the draft. ESPN’s Web site listed the tackle as a guard, and another site said he was from Kansas State.

“Obviously, our football team didn’t get a lot of respect,” said Hartwig, who will graduate next month with a degree in communications. “We haven’t won a lot of games.”

The Titans lost more games than they won last season, finishing 7-9 and fourth in the AFC Central.

“From what I hear, they’re thin on the offensive line,” said Hartwig, who the Titans will work out at tackle and guard. “The whole key is to make it into a camp. I was the only offensive lineman they drafted, but chances are they’ll sign some undrafted free agents and other existing free agents. I’m confident in my ability, and hopefully I’ll make the team.”