AP Sports Writer

updated 6:50 p.m. ET Oct. 25, 2007

HOUSTON - The multicarat diamond studs adorning Peter Warrick's ears are a reminder of the life he once led.

Two seasons removed from his last NFL game, the fourth pick in the 2000 draft is far from fame and riches. Now he's at a place he never thought he'd be: trying out for the fledgling All American Football League.

The two-time All-America selection at Florida State is 30 years old and still looking for a path back to the NFL. Released after five lackluster seasons in Cincinnati, he was cut last season by the Seahawks after one year there.

"I was in Atlanta working out and waiting on the NFL call," he said before his workout. "I'm tired of sitting at home. I just got an opportunity and I'm trying to make the best of it right now."

The receiver and returner was the most recognizable name among hundreds this week at Rice Stadium for invitation-only evaluation sessions to find players for the six-team league that plans to start its 10-week season in April.

Warrick seems to be a perfect fit for this league that hopes to build its fan base by stocking teams with star college players who either didn't make it in the NFL or whose careers there were cut short.

"A lot of players that were stars in college still have a lot of name recognition," said 1972 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers, who is helping promote the league. "This league will give people who are still hungry for football between April and July a chance to go out and see some of the names that they're familiar with."

Warrick was upbeat and reflective in a candid interview discussing what went wrong in his NFL career and how difficult it has been to be away from the game he loves for so long.

The man who was such a dynamic player at Florida State he was nicknamed "The Great One" was back on a college field again this week simply hoping to make an impression. AAFL officials said the top players from these sessions would be invited back for further evaluation.

"It's kind of hard because all my life I'd been at the top," he said. "Now I'm not playing football but I'm not at the bottom because I had good times and now is one of those times to get back up."

Warrick was solid in his first four seasons in Cincinnati, but never quite lived up to expectations for a top-five pick. His best season came in 2003 when he had 79 catches for 819 yards and seven touchdowns.

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