Protecting Peyton: Villanova's Ben Ijalana Goes In 2nd Round To Colts

Ben Ijalana had a feeling his name would be called; it was just a matter of when for the Villanova offensive tackle.

After waiting a day, the massive Wildcat senior heard his name as the 49th overall pick in the second round of the National Football League draft Friday night by the Indianapolis Colts.

Ijalana is now charged with the protection of one of the greatest commodities in football, Indianapolis superstar quarterback Peyton Manning.

Ijalana, listed at 6’ 3½” and 318 pounds, was projected to go somewhere late in the first round, which was on Thursday night, or in the second round. He’ll join Boston College tackle Anthony Castonzo, who the Colts took in the first round, on Indianapolis’ offensive front, possibly at guard.

“I think it’s a great spot for me,” Ijalana said. “When I first heard I was drafted, I was like, ‘Oh great, it’s the Colts!’ And then, ‘Oh, I’m playing with Peyton Manning!’ I’m ready. I know I’ll have to play hard and keep my focus, because you know Peyton Manning wants the best from his offensive line. He doesn’t tolerate any nonsense. But you can say this is like a dream come true.”

Ijalana made some history in the process of being taken by the Colts. He becomes the first player from Villanova selected in the first two rounds of the draft since Hall of Fame defensive lineman Howie Long was taken with the 48th overall pick in 1981 by the Oakland Raiders.

But things were a little dicey for Ijalana (pronounced Eye-galana). He started in 53 games for the Wildcats, and was gaining attention from NFL scouts when he was forced to miss the Senior Bowl because of a sports hernia injury that required surgery in December.

The Colts liked Ijalana’s toughness. Colts’ vice chairman Bill Polian said there are no doubts that Ijalana had recovered from the surgery. Castonzo looks like he’s already being penciled in as the Colts’ left tackle, while Ijalana, though a left tackle at Villanova, could give Indianapolis the flexibility of playing him at right tackle or either of the guard spots.

“The Colts said that they may like me at guard,'” Ijalana said. “They took Castonzo in the first round, so hopefully I can be a part of their plans at guard. I definitely like the way everything looks with the Colts. I wasn’t able to work out at the combine because of the injury, but I did talk to [the Colts’] head offensive line coach. I liked Indy, and it seems like a nice place. I can’t be any happier.”