Joey LaRocque had his dream of being drafted come true Sunday.

He sat down with his mom and dad and good friend and watched his name come across the television screen as a member of the Chicago Bears. LaRocque's agents had told him he could be picked anywhere from the fifth to seventh round.

It almost didn't happen, but the Bears nabbed the Agoura Hills native in the seventh round with the 243rd overall pick. LaRocque will travel to Chicago on Thursday for a mini-camp.

"It went from being the most disappointing day of my life to the most exciting day of my life," LaRocque said. "It was pretty cool how that worked out."

He had been talking to Bears coach Lovie Smith, who revealed the team would be drafting the former Agoura High standout.

LaRocque, who spent the last two years as a linebacker for Oregon State, compared the mild-mannered Smith to his college coach, Mike Riley.

"I've been so lucky, even through high school and youth football of having phenomenal coaches that are willing to talk with their players," LaRocque said.

LaRocque sees himself contributing on special teams in the early stages of his career and making more of an impact as he acclimates himself with the Bears system.

"I know (there) are a lot of great guys that are there," he said. "The only thing I can do is get in there, work hard and give it my all."

When LaRocque thinks about the Bears, the position he's filled during his college career comes to mind.

"I think if you ask anybody, they're going to tell you linebackers," he said. "That's what's so cool about it. That program has historically (had) great linebackers and for me to start my career there is phenomenal."

LaRocque can learn from two of the NFL's top linebackers in teammates Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs.

LaRocque is familiar with another of his new teammates in former Oregon State wide receiver Mike Hass, who completed his college career a season before LaRocque arrived in Corvallis, Ore.

The 6-foot-1, 240-pound LaRocque spent time following the football season working out near his family's home in Agoura Hills as he was preparing for pro day at Oregon State.

After pro day, he remained in Corvallis for about a month working out with the Oregon State football team as they went through spring practices. He then flew back home to enjoy the NFL draft with family.

LaRocque made 86 tackles and 10 tackles for a loss last season for Oregon State, which won six of its last seven games to earn a spot in the Emerald Bowl.

The 21-14 win over Maryland gave Oregon State wins in four consecutive bowl games.