INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts today signed linebacker Ben Banogu, tackle Jackson Barton, defensive end Gerri Green, center Javon Patterson and linebacker E.J. Speed.
The Colts have now signed five of their 10 draft picks from the 2019 NFL Draft.
Banogu, 6-3, 249 pounds, was selected by Indianapolis in the second round (49th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. He started all 40 career games at TCU (2016-18) and Louisiana-Monroe (2014-15). At TCU, Banogu started 17 games and finished with 106 tackles (71 solo), 34.5 tackles for loss, 17.0 sacks, one pass defensed, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was a two-time First Team All-Big 12 choice and a two-time Honorable Mention Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year selection. In 2018, Banogu started 13 games and finished with 57 tackles (42 solo), 18.0 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He started all 14 games in 2017 and compiled 49 tackles (29 solo), 16.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, one pass defensed and three forced fumbles. Banogu sat out the 2016 season due to NCAA transfer rules. In 2015, he started 13 games at Louisiana-Monroe and recorded 45 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks en route to being named to the All-Sun Belt Newcomer Team. Banogu redshirted the 2014 season.
Barton, 6-7, 308 pounds, was selected by the Colts in the seventh round (240th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. He saw action in 53 games (29 starts) at Utah. Barton did not miss a game in his collegiate career after redshirting as a true freshman. In 2018, he was a First Team All-Pac-12 selection after starting all 14 games. Barton started all 13 games in 2017. In 2016, he saw action in 13 games (two starts). Barton appeared in all 13 games in 2015. He redshirted as a true freshman in 2014.
Green, 6-4, 255 pounds, was selected by Indianapolis in the sixth round (199th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. He saw action in 52 games (27 starts) at Mississippi State and compiled 161 tackles (59 solo), 20.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, nine passes defensed, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. As a team captain in 2018, Green started all 13 games and finished with 31 tackles (eight solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one pass defensed. He started all 13 games in 2017 and finished with 38 tackles (13 solo), 11.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, four passes defensed, one interception, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. In 2016, Green appeared in all 13 games and recorded 43 tackles (18 solo), half a tackle for loss, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery. He played in all 13 games (one start) in 2015 and totaled 49 tackles (20 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, three passes defensed and two interceptions. Green was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team after finishing fifth in tackles among the conference's freshmen. In 2014, he redshirted as a true freshman.
Patterson, 6-3, 307 pounds, was selected by the Colts in the seventh round (246th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. He played in 48 games (42 starts) at Mississippi and finished his collegiate career with 36 straight starts. Patterson registered starts at left guard (37), center (three) and right guard (two). In 2018, he started all 12 games at left guard. Patterson started all 12 games at left guard in 2017 and helped the Rebels finish as the SEC leader in passing. In 2016, he was the only Ole Miss offensive lineman to start all 12 games (nine at left guard, three at center). As a true freshman in 2015, Patterson played in 12 games with starts at left guard (four) and right guard (two).
Speed, 6-3, 224 pounds, was selected by Indianapolis in the fifth round (164th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. He played in 35 games at Tarleton State and totaled 231 tackles (118 solo), 36.0 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, 10 passes defensed, three interceptions, eight forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. In 2018, Speed was a Second Team All-LSC selection after appearing in 12 games and recording 106 tackles (55 solo), 12.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, five passes defensed, one interception and two forced fumbles. He played in five games in 2017 due to injury and finished with 41 tackles (24 solo), 8.5 tackles for loss, half a sack, two passes defensed, one interception, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and one blocked kick. In 2016, Speed earned Second Team All-LSC honors after appearing in 11 games and totaling 68 tackles (35 solo), 13.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, three passes defensed, one interception, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two blocked kicks. His five forced fumbles led the nation. Speed saw action in seven games in 2015 and compiled 16 tackles (four solo) and 2.0 tackles for loss. He received a medical redshirt in 2014 after redshirting as a true freshman in 2013.
