The Colts bolstered their defensive line with their first pick on Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft, selecting Missouri State defensive tackle Eric Johnson in the fifth round with the No. 159 overall pick.
The 6-foot-4, 299-pound Johnson played in 55 games (47 starts) in five seasons with Missouri State and recorded 131 tackles, 19.5 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and four blocked field goals. He earned second-team All-MVFC honors in 2020 and 2021.
Johnson is a native of Plainfield, Ill.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler summed up of Johnson: "He flashes phonebooth explosiveness, functional hand use and play range. He should appeal to multiple schemes and is ideally suited as a five-technique or quick-penetrating three-technique."
View photos of Missouri State DT Eric Johnson, selected in the fifth round by the Indianapolis Colts.
Oklahoma State quarterback Oklahoma State quarterback Shane Illingworth (16) carries between Missouri State defensive lineman Eric Johnson (93) and linebacker Tylar Wiltz (10) in the first half throws in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
American Team defensive lineman Eric Johnson of Missouri State runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team defensive lineman Eric Johnson of Missouri State (99) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team defensive lineman Eric Johnson of Missouri State (99) American Team runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team defensive lineman Eric Johnson of Missouri State (99) in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team defensive lineman Eric Johnson of Missouri State (99) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team defensive lineman Eric Johnson of Missouri State runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
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