Most college football players obviously possess a high degree of interest in playing in the NFL.

A few could take it or leave it.

“My interest level is as high a degree as it gets,” Sam Keller said. “I know I can play at that level. I know for a fact what I can do, as far as getting into a system, fitting in and learning and maturing. I know those things can happen. It’s a dream of mine to go and play football for a living. That’s the next step for me.”

Keller, currently in the late stages of recovering from a broken collarbone in his left (non-throwing) shoulder, is preparing to take what he hopes becomes a significant step toward an NFL career, as he is gearing to play before hundreds of scouts in the East-West Shrine Game Jan. 19 in Houston.

The former Nebraska quarterback will receive his bachelor’s degree in political science Dec. 22, pack all of his belongings and leave Lincoln the next day bound for his native California.

Keller broke his collarbone in an Oct. 27 loss at Texas. In roughly two weeks, he can start throwing again. In the meantime, he says, he has been training hard, mindful of the importance of the Shrine Game.

“Obviously, the best of the (postseason) all-star games is the Senior Bowl, but not far behind is the East-West Shrine Game,” the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Keller said. “The scouts are there all week long. It gives you a chance to meet with scouts and meet with player-personnel people from the NFL.

“It really lets them see how well you can step in and learn a new offense. They evaluate how well you pick it up and how well you come in and bond with your new teammates — how well you come in and lead the team. They want to see if guys gravitate toward you.

“As it pertains to me, it’s important because I had some good games this year, but my season was cut short by an injury, so that kind of hurt me in my draft status. But this game will allow me to get back in the hunt.”

Keller had a 4-5 record as Nebraska’s starter this season after transferring from Arizona State in August of 2006 and working that year mostly on the Huskers’ scout team. He completed 63.1 percent of his passes this year for 2,422 yards and 14 touchdowns, with 10 interceptions.

He’s one of at least five Husker seniors from 2007 who have been invited to play in postseason all-star games, along with cornerback Zack Bowman (Shrine Game), linebacker Steve Octavien (Shrine Game), offensive lineman Carl Nicks (Senior Bowl), and linebacker Corey McKeon (Hula Bowl). Other NU seniors may receive invitations at later dates.

As for Keller, “I think he’s a draftable guy, mostly because of what he did at Arizona State,” said Gil Brandt, senior analyst for NFL.com. “At one time, I thought he was a first-day pick. But, obviously, he didn’t play as well this year.”

Brandt is widely respected for his work as player-personnel director for the Dallas Cowboys from 1960 to 1989. Brandt, in fact, drafted Keller’s father, former Michigan linebacker Mike Keller — a third-round choice in 1972. Brandt later hired Mike Keller as a scout.

“My dad knows what to be ready for and what challenges I’ll face,” Sam Keller said.

The younger Keller moves forward with his trademark confidence. He hopes to soon receive an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine, held each February. Invitations will go out later this month to 330 players, Brandt said. For now, Keller’s focus is performing well in practices leading to the Shrine Game. Scouts will be watching closely.

“They’ll see that I’ve gotten better and that I can put zip on the ball and play ball like I was during the season,” Keller said. “From here until the Combine, it’s like a beauty pageant in some regards. Some people like girls with short hair, some people like girls with long hair. It’s just a matter of what a team likes. Teams will be looking for different things.

“No matter what happens to me, I’m always going to be a Nebraska guy through and through,” he added. “Whether I play in the NFL or not, I’m always going to be watching Nebraska, coming to games, reading about it and wondering what’s going on. I’m almost like a fan in that regard at this point.”

Now, however, Keller embraces the opportunity to play football for a living.

“You’re lucky to be able to do something that you loved as a kid and make money at it,” he said. “But you also have to understand you’re competing with, in some cases, 30-year-old men, and you’re starting from the bottom again.

“But because I love football so much, it’s definitely what I want to do.”

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.