This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

I mentioned in a blog the other day that BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy is living a charmed life, and he's earned all the good things that have come his way. The storybook year continued Friday night when Van Noy was not only drafted in the second round, 40th overall, but he learned he would be reunited with his former roommate at BYU, Ziggy Ansah. The Detroit Lions took Ansah with their first pick in 2013, No. 5 overall. Here's my report on Detroit's selection of Van Noy in today's Tribune. The product of Reno, Nev., becomes the ninth BYU player to be picked in the second round of the draft and the 20th Cougar to go in one of the first two rounds. Of those 20 picks, 12 have been offensive players and eight have been defenders. This is the sixth time that BYU has had players taken in the first or second rounds in back-to-back drafts. It is just the first time since 1999 and 2000, however, when OL John Tait and LB Rob Morris were first round picks. Saturday will be interesting as rounds 4-7 are conducted and Cougars such as Daniel Sorensen, Uani Unga, Cody Hoffman, Eathyn Manumaleuna, Kaneakua Friel and JD Falslev hope to either be drafted or get a free-agent invitation. Meantime, here are some of Van Noy's comments after he was drafted Friday night. The quotes were distributed by the Lions:On what the phone conversation with Ansah was like: "It began with both of us laughing at each other. He was calling me 'teammate,' you know, and he's like a brother to me. It's good to be on the same team and be able to go to work and chase the Super Bowl together."

On what Detroit expects him to come in and do: "Honestly they have just talked to me about working hard and coming in and working to create a culture there and to play fast, play smart and play physical. All the characteristics and attributes that you want to form one team and to be a dominant team. I'm just coming in with the attitude to work hard and to get the respect of the veteran guys and to enjoy my time in Detroit and win."

On what other teams he thought he might get picked by: "I don't know what other teams may have been interested. I'm just happy and blessed that the Detroit Lions thought highly of me to trade up five picks to come and get me. That means they wanted me and loved what I had to offer."

On the interest he received from the Lions before the draft: "In talking with Coach Caldwell, me and him got along really well. He is an awesome guy and has potential in grabbing a team and creating an identity his way, and everyone seems to believe what he says, and I am a believer in him. I was in the office and I believed every word he was saying and what he was going for and his dream for the team. I bought into it and I am happy where I am at. I landed in a great spot and a great defense. Hopefully, I can just add to it and help out the team as best as possible."

On being roommates with Ansah: "Ziggy is a good guy and we have been friends since we got here at BYU. I am honored to be on the same team as him and hopefully we can move in the right direction together for that Super Bowl."

On Ansah's development: "The first time I met him I was like, 'Dang, he's big and he has a lot of potential.' I told him that he could go really high in the Draft if he works hard and masters his craft. He got good enough to go to the Lions and last year he did pretty well. Now he just has to stay healthy and we will see him as a Pro-Bowler in my opinion. He has a lot of upside to him and I am excited to be on the same team as him."

On what Ansah told him about being a rookie: "At any place, you are going to have to work hard and make plays and get the respect of the older guys. He has done a lot and helped me out a lot and I look forward finding out. We play different positions, so it might be different in that regard, but all in all, I think it will be pretty good."