INDIANAPOLIS —The Indianapolis Colts today signed guard Quenton Nelson, defensive end Kemoko Turay, defensive end Tyquan Lewis, running back Nyheim Hines, wide receiver Daurice Fountain, running back Jordan Wilkins, wide receiver Deon Cain, linebacker Matthew Adams and linebacker Zaire Franklin.
The Colts have now signed nine of their 11 draft picks from the 2018 NFL Draft.
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Nelson*, 6-5, 325 pounds, was selected by the Colts in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He started 36-of-37 career games at Notre Dame at left guard. In 2,474 career snaps, Nelson surrendered just 3.0 sacks, none in the last two years, and four quarterback hits, two in the last two years. He was named a unanimous All-America selection in 2017 and was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, an award given to the nation's top interior lineman. Nelson earned Second Team All-America honors from the Associated Press and *Sports Illustrated in 2016.
In 2017, Nelson started all 13 games and spearheaded an offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award as college football's most outstanding offensive line. He helped pave the way for the seventh-best FBS rushing attack in rushing offense (269.3 rush yards/game). Nelson surrendered zero sacks, one QB hit and three QB hurries in 883 offensive snaps. He started all 12 games in 2016 and was part of an offensive line that paved the way for 417.6 total yards per game. In 2015, Nelson started 11-of-12 games on an offensive line that was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award. He was part of an offensive line that helped the Irish average 5.63 rushing yards per carry (eighth-best in the FBS) – a modern (post WWII) school record. Notre Dame was one of 11 programs nationally to average 205 yards rushing and 250 yards passing per game (the Irish had not accomplished that feat since 1970). As a freshman in 2014, Nelson spent the entire season on the scout team and did not see game action.
Turay, 6-5, 253 pounds, was selected by Indianapolis in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He saw action in 44 games (10 starts) at Rutgers and compiled 103 tackles (54 solo), 20.5 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, four passes defensed, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown) and three blocked kicks.
In 2017, Turay played in all 12 games (nine starts) and registered 65 tackles (28 solo), 7.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, one pass defensed, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He appeared in eight games in 2016 and collected three solo tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. In 2015, Turay saw action in 11 games (ones start) and tallied nine tackles (eight solo), 3.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery (returned for a touchdown). He played in all 13 games in 2014 and finished with 26 tackles (15 solo), 8.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, one pass defensed and three blocked kicks. Turay was named to the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Team and garnered Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors (media). In 2013, he redshirted and did not see game action.
Lewis, 6-3, 269 pounds, was selected by Indianapolis in the second round (64th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He played in 53 games (36 starts) at Ohio State and totaled 112 tackles (63 solo), 36.5 tackles for loss, 23.5 sacks, five passes defensed and five forced fumbles. Lewis ranks fifth in Buckeye history in career sacks. He garnered First Team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and media in each of his last two seasons (2016-17). In 2016, Lewis was named the Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year, awarded to the best defensive lineman in the Big Ten. He received Honorable Mention All-Big Ten recognition from the coaches and media in 2015.
In 2017, Lewis saw action in all 14 games (10 starts) and registered 20 tackles (12 solo), 9.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, two passes defensed and two forced fumbles. He started all 13 games in 2016 and finished with 29 tackles (17 solo), 10.5 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, two passes defensed and three forced fumbles. In 2015, Lewis started all 13 games and tallied career highs in tackles (54) and tackles for loss (14.0) while adding 8.0 sacks and one pass defensed. He saw action in 13 games in 2014 and helped Ohio State win the College Football Playoff National Championship. Lewis compiled nine tackles (three solo), 2.5 tackles for loss and half a sack.
Hines, 5-8, 198 pounds, was selected by the Colts in the fourth round (104th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He played in 38 games (23 starts) at North Carolina State and totaled 258 carries for 1,399 yards and 13 touchdowns, 89 receptions for 933 yards and one touchdown, 88 kickoff returns for 2,171 yards and two touchdowns and 11 punt returns for 135 yards and one touchdown. Hines registered 4,638 all-purpose yards which is the third most in Wolfpack history.
In 2017, Hines started 12-of-13 games and compiled 197 carries for 1,112 yards and 12 touchdowns, 26 receptions for 152 yards, 21 kickoff returns for 469 yards and 11 punt returns for 135 yards and one touchdown. He was a First Team All-ACC selection as a running back and was named a Third Team All-ACC choice as a specialist. Hines earned Second Team All-America recognition from the American Football Coaches Association as an all-purpose player and was one of four finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, given to the nation's most versatile player. He played in 12 games (six starts) in 2016 and tallied 13 carries for 44 yards, 43 catches for 525 yards and 32 kickoff returns for 782 yards and one touchdown. Hines was also a member of the Wolfpack track team. He won All-America honors as the leadoff leg for the 4x100m relay squad (outdoors) that also won the ACC title. Hines also earned All-ACC honors in the 100m (outdoors) and the 60m (indoors). As a freshman in 2015, he saw action in all 13 games (five starts) and collected 48 carries for 243 yards and one touchdown, 20 receptions for 256 yards and one touchdown and 35 kickoff returns for 920 yards and one touchdown. Hines was named Freshman All-America by Athlon and 247Sports.com.
Fountain, 6-1, 210 pounds, was selected by the Colts in the fifth round (159th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He saw action in 52 games (37 starts) at Northern Iowa and totaled 150 receptions for 2,077 yards and 23 touchdowns. Fountain finished his Panther career as just the sixth player in UNI history to rank in the top 10 in receptions (fourth), receiving yards (ninth) and touchdowns (sixth). He became the 19th player from UNI selected in the NFL Draft. Fountain became the first player from the Missouri Valley Football Conference to earn MVP honors at the East-West Shrine Game. He was named Offensive MVP after catching three passes for 61 yards and adding 40 yards on punt returns in the contest.
In 2017, Fountain started all 13 games and collected 66 receptions for 943 yards and 12 touchdowns. He earned First Team All-MVFC honors and was an All-America selection after leading the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. Fountain's 12 receiving touchdowns ranked fifth in single-season school history while his 66 receptions ranked ninth. He started all 11 games in 2016 and tallied 33 receptions for 413 yards and five touchdowns. In 2015, Fountain started 13-of-14 games and caught 41 passes for 604 yards and five touchdowns. He saw action in all 14 games in 2014 and registered 10 receptions for 117 yards and one touchdown.
Wilkins, 6-1, 216 pounds, was selected by the Colts in the fifth round (169th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He played in 38 games (14 starts) at Mississippi and totaled 279 carries for 1,751 yards and 14 touchdowns. Wilkins also compiled 32 receptions for 322 yards and one touchdown. He earned Second Team All-SEC honors from Pro Football Focus in 2017.
In 2017, Wilkins started all 12 games and finished with 155 carries for 1,011 yards and nine touchdowns to become just the fifth Rebel to surpass the 1,000-yard mark. His 6.5 yards per carry average ranked second in the SEC and 13th nationally. Wilkins also caught 26 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown. He did not see action in 2016 after being ruled ineligible in the preseason. In 2015, Wilkins appeared in all 13 games (two starts) and tallied 72 carries for 379 yards and four touchdowns. He also collected five receptions for 75 yards. Wilkins played in all 13 games in 2014 and registered 52 carries for 361 yards and one touchdown. He also caught one pass for six yards. In 2013, Wilkins redshirted and did not see game action.
Cain, 6-2, 202 pounds, was selected by Indianapolis in the sixth round (185th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He saw action in 42 games (14 starts) at Clemson from 2015-17 and compiled 130 receptions for 2,040 yards and 20 touchdowns. Cain finished tied for fourth in program history in receiving touchdowns. He tallied at least one reception in each of the last 37 games he played in which was the second longest streak in school history. Cain was a member of the Tigers' 2016 National Championship team.
In 2017, Cain was named a Third Team All-ACC selection after starting 13-of-14 games and collecting 58 receptions for 734 yards and six touchdowns. He led the team in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Cain played in 15 games in 2016 and recorded 38 receptions for 724 yards and nine touchdowns. He averaged 19.1 yards per reception which led the team and was one of the best single-season totals in program history. As a freshman in 2015, Cain appeared in 13 games (one start) and caught 34 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns.
Adams, 6-1, 237 pounds, was selected by the Colts in the seventh round (221st overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He played in 48 games (26 starts) at Houston from 2014-17 and totaled 259 tackles (161 solo), 21.0 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three passes defensed, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Adams was named to the American All-Academic Team in 2016 and 2017.
In 2017, Adams played in 11 games (nine starts) and tallied 88 tackles (54 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. In 2016, he started all 11 games he played in and led the team with 82 tackles (57 solo) while adding 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Adams saw action in 13 games (three starts) in 2015 and registered 49 tackles (28 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. As freshman in 2013, he played in all 13 games (three starts) and collected 40 tackles (22 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one pass defensed and two forced fumbles.
Franklin, 6-0, 238 pounds, was selected by Indianapolis in the seventh round (235th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He played in all 48 games over his four seasons at Syracuse and started the final 39 contests of his career. Franklin totaled 311 tackles (187 solo), 31.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 10 passes defensed, two interceptions and five forced fumbles. He was just the second three-time captain in program history and was a two-time All-ACC selection. Franklin's 31.5 tackles for loss rank tied for ninth in school history.
In 2017, Franklin started all 12 games at middle linebacker and earned Honorable Mention All-ACC recognition after compiling 85 tackles (41 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two passes defensed and one forced fumble. He started all 12 games at middle linebacker in 2016 and registered 101 tackles (56 solo), 10.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, four passes defensed, one interception and one forced fumble. Franklin garnered Third Team All-ACC honors from the media and Honorable Mention All-ACC recognition from the league's coaches. In 2015, he started all 12 games at middle linebacker and tallied 81 tackles (59 solo), 11.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, two passes defensed, one interception and two forced fumbles. As a true freshman, Franklin saw action in all 12 games (three starts) and finished with 44 tackles (31 solo), 5.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two passes defensed and one forced fumble.
