HUNTINGTON — Credit Doug Legursky with light-hearted perspective on the NFL draft.

Following months of auditions, Legursky’s professional football path essentially would be decided in a single weekend. The four-year Marshall University starter was considered a mid- to late-round prospect, but Legursky wasn’t about to get burdened by expectations.

Minutes after Chris Long was drafted with the second overall selection Saturday, Legursky jokingly text-messaged his Huntington-based agent, Dave Rich.

“It read, ‘what the heck? I thought this was a done deal,” Rich said. “His mood was good throughout. He was cautiously optimistic, but very realistic. And the choice ultimately was his.”

Legursky wasn’t drafted, and neither were teammates Bernard Morris or Josh Johnson, but quickly agreed to a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday. Terms of the three-year deal weren’t immediately available.

“We knew going in we could fall to free agency and if so we had plans for that,” Legursky said. “I’m perfectly comfortable with it. I would have liked to have been drafted, but I’m as excited as I can be.

“Pittsburgh has been in contact a lot and I’ve watched a lot of their film all through college. I think their line fits my style well. It’s the best fit and it was the best offer. Everything fell right in.”

The right fit includes shifting Legursky to guard from center. He played both with the Thundering Herd, but primarily was a center and was an All Conference USA selection at the position.

At 6-foot-3 and 300-plus pounds, Legursky’s athleticism best will be utilized at guard at the next level.

“Right now they’re looking at me more as a guard and a backup center going in,” Legursky said. “I’m going to be working hard to earn the respect of the veterans and coaches and find my way to the top.”

Ideally, college football standouts enjoy “the moment” when their name is called during draft weekend. Legursky’s enthusiasm wasn’t squelched Sunday evening, however; he developed a rapport with Steelers offensive line coach Larry Zierlin, and Legursky enters with a favorable chance to earn a roster spot.

“Doug is the consummate professional,” said Rich, a partner with Huntington’s Offutt Nord law firm. “He’s a smart kid and he understands that opportunity trumps ego in this scenario. His thing has been, ‘just get me some place where I can make the active roster.’”

After signing his contract, Legursky will report to rookie mini-camp Friday in Pittsburgh. After maintaining even keel under the NFL microscope for months, Legursky finally exhaled on Sunday.

“I’m just so excited and relieved that this whole hectic thing is over,” said Legursky, who will report to rookie mini-camp in Pittsburgh later this week. “I’m ready to go to work.”

DRAFT NOTES: Fellow Rich clients Harry Douglas, Keilen Dykes, Blake Powers and Jermaine Dias also learned their NFL destinations Sunday. Each trained locally with Legursky in Huntington and Hurricane.

Douglas, the former Louisville wide receiver, was a third round draft selection of the Atlanta Falcons. Dykes, a 300-pound defensive lineman from West Virginia, signed a free agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Former Indiana quarterback Blake Powers agreed to a deal with Kansas City and former Virginia linebacker Jermaine Dias agreed to terms with the Cleveland Browns.