NORMAL - By the time it got to the seventh and final round of the NFL Draft on Sunday, former Illinois State outside linebacker Cameron Siskowic was getting selective.

"There were teams I was hoping didn't draft me because it would be a big uphill battle to make the team," Siskowic said. "I would have to beat out veterans or guys drafted on the first day."

That's because Siskowic had already agreed to a free agent contract with Cincinnati. He will report to the Bengals' minicamp on Thursday.

"That was my first choice as far as free agency because of who they have and what type of situation I would be in as far as making the team," Siskowic said. "I pretty much got the offer in the middle of the seventh round.

"I kind of waited for a while to make sure I didn't get drafted. I tried to put some pressure on them to draft me. But I ended up committing to them right after they made their last choice. It was a very successful day signing with the Cincinnati Bengals."

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Siskowic was selected Gateway Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 and led the league in tackles the past two seasons.

The Bengals, who ranked 30th in the NFL in team defense last season, did not draft a linebacker this weekend.

"I got calls from Miami and Carolina right after the draft. Kansas City called me yesterday (Saturday) and I had a lot of talks with Jacksonville," said Siskowic. "But when I looked at it, I have a better chance to make the team at Cincinnati. That's the most important thing, what team suits me best."

Siskowic had several pre-draft conversations with Bengals' linebacker coach and former NFL player Ricky Hunley.

"He told me how much they wanted me," Siskowic said. "The fact they really wanted me to come and showed a huge amount of interest was a big selling point."

ISU wide receiver Laurent Robinson was drafted in the third round by Atlanta on Saturday.