INDIANAPOLIS — The 2020 season was a microcosm of Will Fries potential value for the Indianapolis Colts.
He started nine games in all for Penn State, including six at right guard and three at right tackle. And he performed so well that he earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors.
That kind of position flexibility can be extremely valuable at the NFL level, and it's a trait that the Colts, specifically, seek out in their offensive linemen.
On Saturday, the Colts selected Fries with their seventh-round (248th-overall) pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, hoping that he can develop into a key piece of depth for one of the NFL's top offensive line units.
"I talked to the Colts a fair amount throughout the process," Fries told reporters shortly after his selection. "I felt like they were a team interested in me going into today's draft. I was just extremely blessed and lucky to have this opportunity and looking forward to making the most of it."
Fries, a Cranford, N.J., native, redshirted his true freshman season in 2016 at Penn State, but quickly found his way into the lineup his redshirt freshman season, when he appeared in all 13 games with nine starts and earning Honorable Mention All-Freshman Team honors from BTN.com.
Fries started 11 games the following year — seven at right tackle and four at left tackle — before starting the entire season, 13 games, at right tackle his redshirt junior year in 2019, when he was selected All-Big Ten honorable mention by the coaches and the media.
Then there was the aforementioned 2020 season, in which Fries made three starts at right tackle to begin the season before finishing out the year with six starts at right guard.
"I think it's going to help me a ton," Fries said of his position flexibility at Penn State. "Being a guy who can play multiple positions and play at a high level at those positions, I think that's one of my biggest assets. I think that's going to help me out a lot going forward."
The Colts are yet to specify a position for Fries to commit to, if any, moving forward, but he's confident in his abilities whether it's at guard or tackle.
"I think I can handle all that," Fries said. "Preparing and playing both positions in seven games this year, I think that helped me. I want to do whatever is best for the team and help put the team in the best position possible. That's going to be my No. 1 goal no matter what."
The Colts snagged Penn State guard Will Fries with their final pick in the 2021 NFL Draft (seventh round, 248th overall).
FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, file photo, Penn State offensive lineman Will Fries (71) plays against Washington during the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, in Glendale, Ariz. These times amid the coronavirus pandemic have brought an extra level of anxiety for current college players hoping for a stellar season or at least one that will raise their profile with NFL scouts. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Penn State offensive lineman Will Fries (71) against Washington during the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Penn State offensive lineman Will Fries (71) against Washington during the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Penn State offensive lineman Will Fries (71) against Washington during the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Penn State offensive lineman Will Fries (71) against Washington during the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Ohio State defensive end Tyler Friday (54) pass rushes Penn State offensive lineman Will Fries (71) during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. Ohio State defeated Penn State 38-25. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State's Will Fries (71) during second quarter action of the Nittany Lions game with Indiana. Penn State defeated Indiana, 34-27 on Military Appreciation Day on Nov. 16, 2019 in Beaver Stadium.
Photo by Mark Selders
Penn State's Will Fries (71) during second quarter action of the Cotton Bowl. No. 10 Penn State rushed for a team-bowl-record 396 yards en route to a 53-39 victory over No. 17 Memphis in the 84th annual Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic Saturday December 28, 2019 in AT&T Stadium.
Photo by Mark Selders
Michigan defensive lineman Chase Winovich (15) turns the corner on Penn State offensive lineman Will Fries (71) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Penn State offensive lineman Will Fries (71) leaves the field following an NCAA college football game against Michigan State in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State offensive lineman Will Fries (71) leaves the field following an NCAA college football game against Michigan State in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State's Will Fries (71) and Mike Miranda (73) during third quarter action of the game with Buffalo. The Nittany Lions defeated Buffalo, 45-13 on September 7, 2019 in Beaver Stadium.
Photo by Mark Selders
Penn State's Will Fries (71) during first quarter action of the Nittany Lions game with Idaho. The Nittany Lions defeated Idaho 79-7 in Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019.
Photo by Mark Selders
