VERONA, Wis. -- A childhood dream came true for one local football star this weekend.

Derek Stanley was a standout football player for Verona, then University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and now he's going to the NFL, WISC-TV reported.

Stanley was in his hometown for the news, waiting at the Draft House in Verona until pick 249, and the call of a lifetime.

"I started to get a little discouraged, but the second I got that call, emotions just kind of got the best of me and I can't even describe to you that feeling. It was an unbelievable feeling," said Stanley.

Stanley had hopes for good reason. He was first a lauded running back at Verona High School.

"You just knew Derek had something special, both physically and mentally, and I couldn't be more proud of a kid and what he's done," said Dave Richardson, his high school coach.

Then, Stanley took UW-Whitewater to two national championship games as a wide receiver.

"Then, I sad, 'I'm not going to see him play anymore,' and now he gets drafted. So I'm going to get to see him play again so I'm feeling pretty good about that," said his father Leotha Stanley.

Stanley's family said that they couldn't be prouder. His mother Rosalind said that it's really bringing him full circle.

"What's funny is that his first NFL game, he saw the Rams play, and they were playing San Francisco," said Rosalind Stanley.

The idea of playing for the Rams is something Stanley is getting used to, but it's definitely something he likes, WISC-TV reported.

"I still can't believe I went to the national championship two times in a row, so I can't even comprehend what God is doing to my life right now," said Stanley.

Stanley said that he had an idea the Rams were interested. Their coach actually came to visit with him personally. He'll still have to go to mini-camp and make it on the squad, but he and his family are confident that he can do that.