The Associated Press

NAPA, Calif. - Ronald Curry's climb up the Oakland Raiders' depth chart has come as a surprise to just about everyone, including Curry himself.

He came into camp expecting to be the fifth or sixth receiver this season.

His stakes have risen quickly, and coach Norv Turner named Curry the team's No. 3 option behind Jerry Rice and Jerry Porter on Wednesday.

"I knew I could probably get it done as a receiver, at least compete enough to where they could keep me at the receiver spot and use me as a special teams player," Curry said.

His athleticism in the slot position will keep him around, too.

Owner Al Davis has liked Curry since his high school days at Virginia's Hampton High, where Curry played quarterback, safety and punter, returned punts and kickoffs, and also was a basketball star.

He started as a scout team quarterback in 2002, running around and emulating mobile quarterbacks such as Kordell Stewart and Steve McNair.

Curry, 25, got one chance to return kicks during his rookie season. He returned three for 68 yards, then fumbled the fourth to set up a touchdown for the 49ers in their 23-20 overtime win.

Curry, selected out of North Carolina in the seventh round of the 2002 draft, caught two passes in a game twice last season, the longest for a 16-yard gain.

"Ron is such a gifted athlete," Turner said. "He's a guy who hasn't played much receiver. He's had an outstanding camp."

Curry and the Raiders discussed what would it would take to get him on the field fast. They told him it would be at receiver.

"From there, I trained myself to be a wideout," Curry said.

"It was challenging from a body standpoint. You go from standing around as a quarterback to running full speed and changing direction."

Curry had the difficult choice of deciding between a future in basketball or football. He played guard for three seasons on the Tar Heels' basketball team, starting the final 21 games of the regular season as a freshman.

"I'm confident in my abilities, and they've seen that I can go out there and produce," Curry said.