INDIANAPOLIS – Ryan Kelly wasted no time making things official with the Indianapolis Colts.
Just a day before he reports to Indianapolis for the team's rookie minicamp, Kelly agreed to terms with the Colts.
Kelly became one of the earliest first-round picks to take care of any contract talks with the team that drafted him last week.
In drafting Kelly, the Colts have put an end to the revolving door that was the center position.
A handful of different players snapped the ball to Andrew Luck over the last four years.
Kelly's hands will be on the pigskin this year, and for the foreseeable future.
"Obviously anybody with any aptitude would want stability and talent to protect our franchise quarterback," Ryan Grigson said after making Kelly the first center the Colts have taken before Round Four, since moving to Indianapolis in 1984.
"He's going to be there, he's going to be out there at practice and that goes a long way in the NFL and for us. It's guys you can count on. It's not like he's just some overachiever in there. This is a talented football player that's bigger than your average center."
Grigson and Chuck Pagano took a closer look at Kelly during Alabama's Pro Day, the only one both attended together.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban was in the ear of Grigson and Pagano back at that Pro Day.
The Colts had seen and heard enough on that March day to confirm Kelly's next stop would be in Indianapolis.
"I can't think of anyone you would want to represent your organization, your community or your team, that has better character than Ryan Kelly," Saban said last Thursday night, at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago.
"I know what a great job Ryan Kelly did for our team, for our quarterback and making all the calls on the offensive line and having the kind of competitive character every coach dreams of.
"I'm sure the (Colts') entire offense will appreciate him, and Andrew (Luck) will as well."
