ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- University of Miami running back Willis McGahee was so stunned when Buffalo picked him 23rd overall that he broke down.
McGahee covered his eyes to hide the tears and was hugged by his family at his agent's home in Miami Beach when the Bills called him yesterday and made him the first running back selected in the NFL draft.
"They caught me off guard with the pick, but I'm really happy," said McGahee, recovering from reconstructive knee surgery. "I actually cried. I didn't want to cry."
Once projected to be a No. 2 overall pick, McGahee's future was threatened when three ligaments in his left knee were torn in Miami's championship game loss to Ohio State, and he had surgery Jan. 5, two days after the game. There was speculation he would never play again.
While the injury was less severe than initially feared, it required full reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.
"It's been crazy, a roller-coaster ride. I just got in the back seat and rolled with it," McGahee said. "I'm feeling better now that this day is over with. Nothing was ever guaranteed. Things happen for a reason.
"I'm happy where I'm at right now."
McGahee, 21, a sophomore, spent recent weeks trying to prove that he was ready to play, including a workout in front of nearly 100 coaches, scouts and reporters Tuesday.
It's uncertain whether he'll play next season.
"We'll play it by ear," said Bills President Tom Donahoe. "We're prepared. If he can't play this year, we're fine."
Coach Gregg Williams said the possibility of McGahee opening the season on the physically unable to perform list, which would allow him more time to rehabilitate, hasn't been ruled out. Under league rules, the Bills would have the option to activate McGahee between weeks 10-14 of the season.
"People are talking about is he going to be ready for training camp. I don't care if he's ready for training camp," Williams said. "It could be late in the year. And we shouldn't count him out."
McGahee said he wanted to play but added it was up to the team.
"My job is to prove people wrong, and I'm going to prove them wrong by playing this year," McGahee said. "I feel like the world is mine. I'm going to get my legs strong and go out there and get the opportunity to compete."
He had an impressive season for the Hurricanes, set school records with 1,753 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns.
Now it's up to the Bills to figure out where McGahee fits in at a position that's headed by Travis Henry, the NFL's fifth-leading rusher last season. Buffalo also signed former Denver running back Olandis Gary this past week.
"The Buffalo Bills are excited about that decision," Williams said. "We thought he was one of the top one or two players in the whole draft before he got hurt. His rehab is going real well."
McGahee briefly considered staying at Miami for another season to help the knee get back to 100 percent. Instead, he stuck with his original plan to turn pro and embarked on a rugged rehabilitation program.
The Bills medical staff twice evaluated McGahee.
This isn't the first time the Bills have taken a chance on drafting an injured running back. There were questions regarding Thurman Thomas, who was coming off a knee injury when the Bills selected him with their first pick, 40th overall, in the second round of the 1988 draft.
Thomas, who retired after the 2000 season, played 12 years in Buffalo, in which he broke and challenged several of O.J. Simpson's franchise records. Thomas also became the NFL's first player to lead the league four consecutive years in total yards.
This is also the second year in a row the Bills have created a stir during the two-day draft. Last year, Buffalo gave up its first-round pick in this year's draft to acquire Drew Bledsoe in a trade with New England.
Buffalo takes chance on McGahee 
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