PROVO -- It took until the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft, but that didn't matter to BYU's Colby Bockwoldt, he was willing to wait. Whether as a draft pick or as a free agent, he just wanted to have an opportunity to compete.
Bockwoldt, a native of Sunset, Utah, was watching a movie with his wife Ashley (and keeping an eye on the draft) when his phone started ringing around noon on Sunday. As the draft was approaching the 240th selection--having already talked to several coaches and general managers throughout the day--New Orleans Saints' head coach Jim Haslett called.
"He asked me if I was nervous," Bockwoldt said from his home in Provo. "I told him I just wished someone would draft me. He said, 'Well, let's take care of that.' I was on the phone with him when I saw my name flash up on the television. It has been an exciting day."
Bockwoldt, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker, said he is excited about being drafted and is looking forward to going to New Orleans.
"I've talked to the general manager and a few coaches today, including Coach Haslett," Bockwoldt said. "They all sound excited to have me, and I'm definitely excited to be a member of the New Orleans Saints."
Bockwoldt, who will be wearing jersey no. 57 as the newest member of the Saints, will leave this week for New Orleans for a three-day mini-camp.
"I know that just because I've been drafted, this isn't a sure thing," Bockwoldt said. "I still have to do a little research because I'm not sure what their needs are at this point. But after talking to the coaches, I do know they are in need of some of my abilities. I'm looking forward to showing up on Thursday and figuring out what my role is going to be."
The entire draft process has been an interesting experience for Bockwoldt. From workouts to interviews to the myriad of phone calls he has received from team representatives this past week, Bockwold said the only sure thing is that nothing is for sure.
"I heard from probably 25 different teams this past week," he said. "New Orleans wasn't one of them, so I was a little surprised to hear from them. But that's just how this process works. Nothing is for certain. All I know now is that New Orleans is excited to have me, I'm excited to be a New Orleans Saint, I'm leaving on Thursday for New Orleans and I'll be wearing number 57. That's all I know right now. Everything else, I'm not sure about at this point."
Bockwoldt, a 2003 All-Mountain West Conference honorable-mention selection, started at outside linebacker in all 12 of the Cougars games as a senior. He ranked among the conference leaders with 77 tackles on the season, including 42 solo takedowns. Bockwoldt ranked third in the MWC and led the BYU roster with 19 tackles for a combined loss of 63 yards, including 4.5 sacks. During his senior season he posted three double-digit performances, including a season-high 12 tackles in the Cougars against Utah.
Bockwoldt graduated from Northirdge High School where he posted a 4.0 grade-point average. He was an all-state and all-conference selection as a senior, and was regarded as one of the top-five recruits in the state of Utah. Bockwoldt, who runs a 4.6-second 40-yard dash, was a standout on the track team. As a senior, he led Northridge to the 5A state title in the 4x100-meter relay.
Bockwoldt is the son of Rod and Debbie Bockwoldt and is married to the former Ashley Fowler.
Linebacker
6-2, 230, R-Sr.
Sunset, Utah / Northridge HS
IN 2003: A 2003 All-MWC honorable-mention selection ... started at outside linebacker in all 12 of the Cougars games as a senior ... ranked among the conference leaders with 77 tackles on the season, including 42 solo takedowns (ranked second on the BYU roster) ... ranked third in the MWC and led the BYU roster with 19 tackles for a combined loss of 63 yards, including 4.5 sacks ... posted three double-digit performances on the season, including a season-high 12 tackles in the Cougarsy´ 3-0 loss against Utah ... recorded a season-high four tackles for a loss against the Utes ... racked up 11 takedowns against Stanford, including a season-high six solo tackles against the Cardinal ... led the BYU defense with a 13-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in the Cougars' 44-36 win over San Diego State-the Cougars first defensive touchdown of the season ... credited with two tackles for a combined loss of eight yards, including a sack for a six yard loss against the Aztecs ... equaled his then season-high with six tackles in the Cougars' 10-7 win over New Mexico ... posted a season-high six tackles against fourth-ranked USC, including four solo tackles ... credited with two tackles for a combined loss of eight yards, including a sack for a five yard loss ... registered two tackles in the Cougars' season--opening victory over Georgia Tech ... part of a defensive unit that held the Yellow Jackets scoreless in the second half and did not allow a single touchdown on the night ... limited the GT offense to just 96 yards rushing and 147 yards passing, including only 20 yards rushing in the second half ... part of a defensive unit that held Utah to just three points and 184 yards off their season total yardage average ... participated in spring drills ... slated as the starting right-side linebacker entering fall camp ... helped lead the Blue team to a 14-7 victory in the annual Blue-White scrimmage, recording 3 solo tackles, including 2 sacks for a combined loss of 19 yards ... also credited with 2 quarterback hurries. IN 2002: Earned All-Mountain West Conference honorable-mention honors ... recognized as the team's top linebacker ... started all 12 games for the Cougars at weak-side linebacker ... ranked third on the BYU roster with a career-high 85 tackles, including 51 solo takedowns (ranked 7th among league linebackers) ... produced three games with 10 or more tackles, including a season-high 11 tackles against Utah ... recorded a season-high nine solo tackles against Wyoming ... ranked 9th in the MWC with 12 tackles for a combined loss of 49 yards ... twice recorded three tackles for a loss against San Diego State (3-7) and Utah (3-18) ... had at least one tackle for a loss in 8 of 12 games during the season ... recorded 3 sacks on the season and forced 3 fumbles ... credited with 6 hurries, including two against Hawaii and Wyoming. IN 2001: Competed in 14 games as a sophomore, including the 2001 Liberty Bowl ... credited with 25 tackles, including 18 solo takedowns ... recorded one sack on the season for five yards (vs. Nevada) ... credited with one pass deflection on the season ... recorded a season-high five tackles against Cal, including four solos and one assisted tackle. IN 2000: Participated in spring drills ... recorded four tackles, two pass break-ups and one QB hurry in the spring game ... saw action in seven games on both special teams and at linebacker ... recorded 10 tackles on the season, including eight solos and two assisted takedowns ... produced a career-high three tackles against Utah State, including two solo stops. IN 1999: Redshirted.
HIGH SCHOOL: A member of the Northridge High School Honor Roll with a 4.0 GPA ... Named to the all-state and all-conference teams as a senior at Northridge High School ... Regarded as one of the top five recruits in the state of Utah ... Also a standout track athlete, won the 5A state title in the 4x100 relay.
PERSONAL:Born April 14, 1981 in Ogden, Utah ... Parents are Rod and Debbie ... Enjoys reading, music and working out .... Recruited by Nebraska, Stanford, Colorado, Army, Arizona, Oregon, Cal, Utah State, Washington State, Weber State and Utah ... married the former Ashley Fowler in July 2002.
CAREER STATS
Year Gms UT AT TFL FR FC INT PD HUR Sck
2000 7 8 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2001 13 8 7 0 0 0 0 1 1 1
2002 12 51 34 12 1 3 0 1 6 3
2003 12 42 35 19 1 0 2 4 3 4.5
TOTALS 44 119 78 31 2 3 2 6 10 8.5