By James Caldwell, PWTorch.com assistant editor

Ohio St. linebacker James Laurinaitis is expected to be a First Round draft pick during today's NFL Draft in New York City. James, the son of Road Warrior Animal and nephew of WWE VP of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis, has a career waiting for him in WWE, though, if the NFL doesn't work out.

James was in Houston during WrestleMania 25 weekend talking to the Houston Texans, who could pick him if he drops to the middle of the First Round. He also he worked out with WWE wrestlers in the official WWE hotel.

"He was in the ring, playing around, jumping off the top rope, having fun. He was like a kid in a candy store," John Laurinaitis told Jim Varsallone of the Miami Herald. "James would do great as a wrestler. James has a great personality. He's very athletic."

James says he doesn't worry about being overwhelmed by the upcoming NFL experience as a rookie in the league, as he grew up watching his father cut promos while Hulk Hogan was walking around backstage.

"When you're backstage with Dad and you see him doing live promos and stuff, you're like 'okay.' That's just your life as a kid," James said at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. "I got to see Hulk Hogan at times, and my favorite wrestler, the Heartbreak Kid. It was an awesome childhood."

While in Houston for WrestleMania 25, James visited with many of the WWE wrestlers, including The Undertaker and Triple H. John says the NFL prospect also recently visited with the Arizona Cardinals football team, whose home stadium will be hosting WrestleMania 26. Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt was at the official press conference for the WM26 announcement.

"I even talked to the Phoenix coach when I was out in Phoenix, because we're doing WrestleMania 26 out there, and a lot of coaches just wanted to meet him because they wanted to know why he went back his senior year and how he reads plays because he makes plays," John Laurinaitis says. "He may not be the fastest guy out there, but he's always around the ball."

James Laurinaitis says his good instincts on the football field came from his father, Road Warrior Animal. Asked if he would have been as good of an athlete if Animal (Joe Laurinaitis) were in another profession, James says he doesn't think so.

"Not with the way my dad used to train and the genetics he gave me," James told the AP. "If he didn't love sports, maybe I'm not an athlete at all."

His father Joe (Road Warrior Animal) has been interviewed by local media in Minnesota, which has given a lot of attention in the days leading up to the draft to James's NFL prospects.

[Photo (c) Kevork Djansezian, Associated Press]

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