ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) – From farm boy to first-rounder.

Robert Gallery garnered so much attention around the NFL, the Oakland Raiders knew they did the right thing choosing the Iowa offensive tackle with the second overall pick in the draft Saturday.

“Most people who were talking about trading up were interested in Robert Gallery, so that’s an indication of what people feel about him in the league,” Raiders coach Norv Turner said. “Obviously that’s what we feel about him.”

The Raiders received several trade offers, but were much more interested in getting the 6-foot-7, 323-pound Gallery for themselves. He is considered the best offensive line prospect since Orlando Pace went No. 1 overall to St. Louis in 1997.

And the Raiders are in dire need of some help on an awful O-line that was beat up most of last season and couldn’t protect its quarterbacks – Rich Gannon, Marques Tuiasosopo and Rick Mirer all got hurt.

Gallery visited team headquarters last week and impressed everyone in the organization. He even got to meet iconoclastic owner Al Davis.

“I was just myself I didn’t do anything to try to impress them,” Gallery said. “I was just the person I’ve always been. I think they liked that, so it was a great visit. I really liked the place and I was hoping they’d get me. It worked out great for me.

“There’s some great names on that team. Mr. Davis has done a great job, and just to be part of that is a huge deal.”

It’s a big thing for those cheering for Gallery back home, too.

The Gallery family farm is in the tiny northeastern Iowa town of Masonville, population 129. His parents put off their spring planting this year to be at New York’s Madison Square Garden for their son’s draft selection.

Gallery used to dread picking up rocks in the corn and soybean fields. He particularly enjoyed running the combine.

“It’s something for a small-town kid, especially out here in the middle of nowhere, basically,” said Gallery’s high school coach, Mike Stafford. “I’m just really happy for Robert. He’s going to give everything he’s got. He’s willing to give everything he can. If you ask him to do something, he’ll do it.”

Gallery weighed just 215 pounds when he was playing football at East Buchanan High in rural Winthrop, Iowa.

He was about 240 when he graduated.

“Iowa put about 100 pounds on him,” Stafford said.

The Hawkeyes also brought out a new look for Gallery, whose long hair hangs out of his helmet.

“He had a crew cut here,” Stafford recalled. “He was straight-laced. He got down there and formed his own identity. It seemed out of character for him really. But you can’t judge people by how they look. He’s big-hearted.”

This is the sixth time since 1980 the Raiders have used a first-round pick on an offensive lineman. Three have been busts.

Oakland finished with an embarrassing 4-12 record last season just a year after the franchise’s first trip to the Super Bowl in 19 years. The collapse was the worst by a team that reached the championship game the previous year.

The Raiders need immediate production from Gallery, and he’s ready to provide it.

“When you look at the highlight film of Robert Gallery, you see a destructive force,” ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper said. “He was an All-American week in and week out.”

Cleveland had discussions with Oakland about trading for the second pick but Oakland ultimately coveted Gallery too much.

“He’s been an outstanding football player throughout his college career and we’re excited to have him with the Raiders,” Turner said. “I think he’ll be a long-term, longtime big-time player for us.”