EL PASO —Former New Mexico State quarterback Chase Holbrook is hopeful for a selection in April's annual National Football League Draft.

For the time being, he is readying himself for the rigors of the NFL Combine later this month in Indianapolis.

"I've been in Atlanta working out and getting ready for the combine and that will be a huge deal for me in many respects," said Holbrook, who played in Saturday's Texas vs. The National All-Star game at the Sun Bowl. "At the combine, I'll get tested both physically and mentally. I've been working a lot on my five-step drops in Atlanta, something I've never had to really think about before. I've been working to stay in good shape."

The 6-foot-5 Holbrook was one of four quarterbacks on the Texas roster on Saturday afternoon and his playing time was limited.

But he did lead the Texas team to its first score of the day in the first half in the 27-24 loss.

He completed all three passes on the seven-play, 77-yard scoring drive, which was capped by a 19-yard scoring toss to Nevada-Las Vegas back Frank Summers. It was a 3rd down and 1 play and Holbrook sold the play action fake and found Summer wide open at about the 15 and Summers took it in the rest of the way.

Holbrook also completed passes of 13 and 14 on the drive.

"That was a good drive, everyone did a good job and there were some good routes called," he said.

Holbrook, who is known for his accuracy and being able to find secondary receivers, had one more

drive in the second quarter and his one pass was incomplete, but through no fault of his own. Holbrook found a wide open San Jose State's David Richmond on a short crossing pattern, but Richmond dropped the ball on a 3rd and 9 play.

Holbrook did not play in the second half, even though it appeared to be his chance late in the game. The Texas coaching staff was giving each quarterback two series', but Tulsa's David Johnson was put in on the team's final drive instead of Holbrook.

Saturday's game was the cap on a week long stay in El Paso for Holbrook, who threw for 11,846 yards and 85 touchdowns in his three years as NMSU's quarterback.

"It was a good week," Holbrook said. "I learned a lot and this was a tune-up of sorts for the NFL combine. I just want be consistent and be able to have a good combine. I've heard everything from fourth round to late in the draft as a possibility. I'm ready for whatever happens and I'll go from there, I just want the chance to go to the next level."

After his junior season, Holbrook explored going into the NFL draft and after he was projected to go in the sixth round, he decided on returning to NMSU.