Former BYU offensive guard Matt Johnson was ecstatic Sunday about being selected in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, 138th overall, by the Indianapolis Colts — for more reasons than just one.
First, he knows he could play with NFL stars like quarterback Peyton Manning, running back Edgerrin James and receiver Marvin Harrison. Second, Cougar teammate Rob Morris was picked by Indianapolis in the first round on Saturday. Third, the Colts are NFC championship contenders.
But the biggest reason of all? He's an Indiana native. His family resides in Roanoke, about an hour north of Indianapolis — and that's where Johnson was Sunday when he received the phone call from Colts president Bill Polian.
"This is exceptional," he said. "I can't think of any better way to continue my career. I never would have guessed in a thousand years that the Colts, my hometown team, would take me. Rob (Morris) and I worked out together in Provo last week, and I was telling him I was sure he was going to be drafted by Indianapolis. I never would have dreamed I would be his teammate."
Johnson was one of three Cougars taken in the 2000 draft. Defensive end Byron Frisch was selected in the third round Saturday by the Tennessee Titans.
Another local product, Arizona State's Junior Ioane, a defensive tackle from Mt. Pleasant who was a Deseret News all-stater out of North Sanpete High in 1995, was chosen in the fourth round (107th overall) by the Oakland Raiders. Ioane, who picked ASU over BYU out of Snow College, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee midway through the 1999 season.
Meanwhile, a few Cougars who weren't drafted will sign free agent contracts — quarterback Kevin Feterik (Seattle Seahawks); tight end Carlos Nuo (Miami Dolphins); and cornerback Brian Gray (either Cincinnati, Pittsburgh or the New York Giants).
Former BYU running back Ronney Jenkins, who transferred to Northern Arizona and played for the Lumberjacks one season, will sign a free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers. He declared for the draft with one year of college eligibility remaining.
Of the Colts' seven draft picks, the 6-foot-4, 330-pound Johnson was the only offensive player they selected. Polian doesn't mind that Johnson, a returned LDS missionary, is 27 years old.
"He's a road grader," he said of Johnson. "He's a big, powerful man, and we felt we needed to add a powerful presence in the middle to improve the running game."
Johnson's path back to Indiana, where he hasn't lived in 16 years, was a circuitous one. He didn't play a down of high school football while living in Oregon but ended up playing at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. Then he transferred to BYU, where he started at guard for two seasons.
Johnson says he brings a lot to the Colts. "I totally understand I have things to work on, but I am a hard worker," he said.
He will battle for a roster spot with the Colts at mini-camp, which opens later this month. Later this summer he plans to be married to Orem native Devyn Hunter, who met his family for the first time this weekend. "This is the happiest time of my life," Johnson said.
Including Johnson and Morris, Indianapolis now has four former Cougars on its roster. Larry Moore is the starting center and Spencer Reid is a backup linebacker. Said Johnson: "Polian told me on the phone today, 'If you guys play well enough, you just may convert me to Mormonism.' "
LUCKY NUMBER?: Frisch watched several hours of the draft on Saturday but turned off the TV in the middle of the second round. When he tuned in again later, there were 10 picks left in the third and final round for Saturday. "I sure didn't want to do this again on Sunday," he said.
Finally, he was selected with the second-to-last pick in the third round at No. 93 overall. Frisch wore 93 at BYU.
You can reach Jeff Call by e-mail at jeffc@desnews.com.