By Steve Borgquist
steve@newsroom.byu.edu@by2:NewsNet Sports Writer
Playing backyard football has taken on a new meaning for former BYU offensive lineman Matt Johnson, who has headed home to play for the Indianapolis Colts.
When Johnson received the phone call on NFL draft day on April 16 informing him that he was the ninth pick in the fifth round for the Colts, he was already at home in Indiana, introducing his family to his new fianc?, Devin Hunter of Orem.
'I almost immediately had a ticket request list a mile long,' Johnson said concerning his friends and family in Indiana.
'The fact that I have a chance to continue playing football with a Super Bowl contender like the Colts, and just an hour away from where I grew up is unbelievable.'
Johnson, a 6-foot-4-inch, 310-pound offensive guard, laughs about joining fellow BYU teammate and 28th pick overall Rob Morris in Indianapolis.
'A week before the draft Rob and I had worked out a couple times and I had heard a couple of publications saying the Colts were looking to pick him up,' Johnson said.
'I was teasing him about going to my homeland and he said, 'Don't laugh to hard ... you could end up there, too.''
With a solid 1999 season, earning All-Mountain West Conference lineman recognition, Johnson went to the NFL combine confident in his chances to be drafted in the early rounds. After two days of scrupulous observed training, Johnson said his expectations of what the NFL draft had in store for him changed.
'During the season I thought I had a chance to go in the first three rounds, but after the combine and hearing some of the things people were saying about me, I thought I would be a late round or a free agent,' Johnson said.
Unlike other players selected in the NFL draft, Johnson chose not to play high school football, but lettered in basketball, track and soccer.
'I thought I would try football in college because all throughout high school everyone told me what a great football player I would make,' Johnson said.
Following high school, Johnson was introduced to John Hunter Sr., a former Cougar punter, who sparked his interest in football and suggested that he begin his football career at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.
As a walk-on at Ricks College, Johnson had to practice long hours and play catch-up with the rest of the team.
Despite all he had to learn and how much more effort he had to give, Johnson is still glad he chose not to play high school football.
'If I would have played football in high school I may not have gone to Ricks and been ready to receive the gospel,' Johnson said.
'My first year at Ricks is when I was baptized. All the experiences I had at Ricks helped soften my heart and sharpen my mind.'
After being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for only one year, Johnson served a mission to Columbia, S.C.
Upon his return home, he played at Ricks for a season before redshirting for the Cougars in 1997.
Johnson attributes his success at BYU to things learned from Roger French, the Cougars' offensive line coach. During the '98 and '99 seasons Johnson started for French, who taught him how to consistently become a better player.
Determination and a solid work ethic began early, said Al Johnson, Matt's father. He said he remembers Matt's positive attitude and perseverance throughout high school athletics and later at Ricks.
'He is what I have called a self-made man,' Al said. 'He has done most of this on his own and worked very hard for it. The most any parent can wish for is that one of their children will fulfill their hopes, dreams and aspirations.'
It was thought by some before the draft that because Johnson will be a 27-year-old rookie in September, it would affect his draft selection, but the Colts were more interested in Johnson's good balance, agility and pass blocking skills he developed while at BYU.
Johnson said that a career is hardly guaranteed in the NFL and that he will need to take his solid work ethic with him to the next level in order to make his stay in Indianapolis a lengthy one.
'I will need to work my butt off,' Johnson said. 'When I have had success, I have worked my rear off. The Colts told me that's what I would have to do to make it.'
For Johnson, the excitement of being drafted into the NFL has taken back seat to the thrill of finding the right women and getting engaged.
'Forget about football. The fact that I am marrying a sweet girl like Devin is more unbelievable than the NFL thing,' Johnson said.
'You can't put a price on finding the right one.'
With all the positive events taking place in Johnson's life, he feels confident that he is doing the right things both on and off the football field.
'I'm not at all hesitant to acknowledge the fact that Heavenly Father has been greatly involved in our lives through all this,' Johnson said, referring to his fianc?, Devin.
'We feel like Indiana is the place for both of us.'