BYU Athletic Communications

Before the start of the 2008 NFL Draft on Saturday, BYU linebacker Bryan Kehl made a friendly wager with friends and family. He had a feeling he would be drafted by the New York Giants.

On Sunday, his premonition became a reality when the defending Super Bowl champions traded up to make Kehl the 24th selection in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

"After interviewing and meeting with a few teams at the combine in Indianapolis, New York was in my top five," Kehl said. "I could see myself as a New York Giant. I'm really excited. They're the Super Bowl champions. It doesn't get any better than that."

Kehl, a 6-foot-3, 242-pound native of Salt Lake City, will leave Utah for East Rutherford, N.J., early in May for the Giants' mini-camp which begins May 8.

According to NFLDraftScout.com, the Giants have an immediate need at linebacker after losing both of their starting outside linebackers to free agency. Kehl was the first of only two linebackers selected by the Giants. New York had only seven picks in this year's draft, using two of the seven selections to draft linebackers.

After talking with head coach Tom Coughlin and linebackers coach Bill Sheridan, Kehl said he felt he could help make an immediate impact as a rookie.

"They've told me who they have in the program, what they plan for me and where I'll fit in," Kehl said. "I feel like I will be able to go in and make an immediate impact on special teams and then work my way in to the rotation. It's honestly a privilege and an honor to be drafted by the Giants. I'm looking forward to getting out there."

The Giants were prepared to select Kehl in the third round; however, those plans were changed when Michigan receiver Mario Manningham slipped down the draft board after a poor showing at the NFL combine.

"When that happened, they told me they were going to get me in the fourth round if I was still available," Kehl said. "It's good to know they made a trade to move up and draft me. It's a good fit and it’s a great opportunity for me."

Kehl, a first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection as a senior, was selected by his teammates as the Cougars' defensive most valuable player last season.

Kehl finished his senior campaign with 84 tackles, including a team-best 48 solo tackles. According to NFLDraftScout.com, Kehl is a playmaker with great speed and the ability to produce.

"He is versatile and can play inside or outside and on special teams," the on-line scouting source said. "Bryan is a natural playmaker who showed marked improvement during his senior year."

Kehl is the 14th BYU linebacker to be selected in the NFL Draft since 1972, and the first linebacker to be drafted since Brady Popping was picked by the Green Bay Packers in 2005. Interestingly, Poppinga and Kehl were both the 24th pick in the fourth round of their respective drafts. Since the 2004 NFL Draft, more linebackers have been drafted from BYU than any other position.

Kehl is also the first player from BYU to be drafted by the Giants since David Futrell was selected in the 12th round in the 1988 draft.