RIGGINS -- Population 410.
You can't miss the sign as you weave your way on highway 95 into the central Idaho town of Riggins.
It's even harder to tune out the noise of what felt like the entire town, cheering as Leighton's name was called late Thursday night.
"With the 19th overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State."
How did a small town Idaho kid get to one of the biggest stages in sports?
During his time at Salmon River High School, Leighton played 8-man football and basketball, lead the Savages to two state titles.
"We always believed in him, but from a little town like this, it's really something," one Riggins resident said.
With no scholarship offers out of high school, Leighton walked on to the Boise State football team in the fall of 2014.
Fast forward three years.
In the fall of 2017, Leighton was named the Mountain West Conference defensive player of the year as a junior, leading the Broncos to the 2017 Mountain West Conference championship and ultimately deciding to forego his senior season to declare for the draft.
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Fast forward six months.
Scott Smith, a Boise State football season ticket holder, has been diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer, but he didn't let that damper his spirit at Thursday night's NFL Draft watch party at Summervilles Bar & Cafe, where dozens and dozens of people gathered to hear Leighton's name called.
Decked out in a Dallas Cowboys jersey, Smith says his favorite Bronco has now become his favorite 'Cowboy.'
"Positive things can happen in bad situations," Smith said. "We look to heroes and Leighton is one of my heroes."
Other Leighton supporters, many sporting Salmon River High School and Boise State apparel, watched in anticipation as the first round went on.
Finally, the Dallas Cowboys, on the clock for what seemed like an eternity, had NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announce their first pick of the draft: Leighton Vander Esch.
"We've been dreaming of this moment ever since we were kids playing in the playground," Jimmy Shepherd, one of Leighton's best friends since childhood said. "Now that it has come true, it's pretty amazing."
After Thursday night's first round, we're guessing at least 400 people have been converted into Dallas Cowboys fans.
"Anytime one of our own make it, it's a huge deal, but to go to America's team is an amazing experience," one man said.