Cowboys make Marten's night

James Marten took a seat in his parents' Indianapolis home yesterday and prepared for a long wait. As the hours passed, afternoon into evening, the Boston College senior's eyes didn't stray too far from the television, and the NFL draft coverage.

Just before 10 last night, nearly 10 hours into the draft, the massive 6-foot-7 1/2-inch, 309-pound Marten received the call he had been waiting and preparing for over the last four months. But the voice on the other end of the line, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, was a bit of a stunner.

"[Jerry] told me they were turning in their draft card with my name on it and as he was saying this, my name appeared on the TV screen," said Marten, BC's outstanding left tackle.

With their third-round pick, the 67th selection overall, which Dallas acquired earlier in the day from Cleveland, the Cowboys chose Marten, making him the first and only player from a New England school chosen in the first three rounds of the draft.

"I was just thrilled to get picked, but to go to the Cowboys is just unbelievable," said Marten, who noted his only contact with Dallas prior to yesterday came at the Senior Bowl in January.

"They have such a great tradition, they're a great team, America's team."

A versatile performer on the offensive line noted for his athletic ability, intelligence, durability, and toughness, Marten closed out his career with 38 consecutive starts, playing all 13 games last fall at left tackle on a unit that also featured All-America guard Josh Beekman. Marten was a fixture at left guard during his sophomore and junior seasons, making 25 starts.

"Moving out to tackle this year really allowed me to showcase my ability," said Marten, who was the fifth tackle chosen. "I believe that it is my natural position."

He has been compared favorably to his former BC teammate and good friend, 6-8, 320-pound Jeremy Trueblood , Tampa Bay's second-round pick a year ago (59th overall) who is projected to start at right tackle for the Bucs this season.

In a BC program that has become known for producing outstanding offensive linemen, Marten is the sixth Eagle lineman to be drafted since 2000.

"It's offensive line U, and we take a lot of pride in what we do," said the second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick, who received a congratulatory text message from Beekman after his selection last night. He was hoping that his linemate would be selected before the end of the third round, but he will have to wait until today.

The Cowboys' depth chart lists another former Eagle, Marc Colombo (right), and Flozell Adams (left) as the starting tackles, with mammoth free agent signee Leonard Davis, veteran Jason Fabini, and second-year pro Pat McQuistan in reserve. Marten, who also spoke to Cowboys line coach Tony Sparano last night, is prepared to win a job in camp.

Jones said the Cowboys "were really excited and that I'll bring toughness and athleticism and that I'll do a great job on the offensive line," said Marten, who is projected to play right tackle in the NFL.

Shortly after receiving Jones's call, Marten said he and his ecstatic parents popped the champagne. "It's definitely a dream come true."

Beekman, three-time All-Ivy linebacker Zak DeOssie of Brown, record-setting New Hampshire receiver David Ball, hard-hitting Maine safety Daren Stone, and Harvard tailback Clifton Dawson, the Ivy League's all-time leading rusher, are among the top New England candidates for selection in Rounds 4-7 today.

Craig Larson can be reached at clarson@globe.com.