FILE PHOTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Jason Johnson was picked up by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent after the draft.

Former Wildcats Bobby Wade and Lance Briggs to be teammates once again, this time with the Chicago Bears

Jason Johnson knows that he won't be competing for a starting spot with all-pro quarterback Drew Bledsoe this season, but the former UA signal-caller is just happy he's getting a shot to play in the NFL.

Johnson was taken as an undrafted free agent by the Buffalo Bills just minutes after the NFL draft ended yesterday.

"I'm really excited to get a chance to play in Buffalo," said Johnson, the Wildcats single-season leader in yards, completions and attempts. "I'm basically going to be fighting for the No. 3 quarterback job behind Drew Bledsoe and Alex Van Pelt."

Makoa FreitasPosition - Offensive line Round - 6 Pick - 208 Team - Indianapolis Colts

Two other former Arizona players will get a chance to reunite on the next level as both linebacker Lance Briggs (3rd round-68th overall) and receiver/punt returner Bobby Wade (5th round-139th overall) were taken by the Chicago Bears.

"Both of them really fit the Bears' style," Johnson said. "Lance can go out right away and play outside linebacker next to Brian Urlacher and help with their depth in that position. Bobby can return punts for the Bears. They also like him as a slot receiver when he worked out for them earlier this year."

Briggs' status in the draft was questionable, as some had him ranked as early as the second round, and some even speculated the 6-foot-1-inch, 242-pounder wouldn't even be taken. Briggs, however, was the eighth linebacker taken and should fit in nicely in the Bears' 4-3 scheme.

David HintonPosition - Cornerback Round - not drafted Pick - Undrafted free agent Team - Philadelphia Eagles

Even though Wade didn't see his name come across the draft board until yesterday, he should have a great opportunity with the Bears, especially as a kick returner.

"We had earmarked going into this draft that we had to get a guy that returned," said Bears director of college scouting Greg Gabriel in a release. "He was one of the guys we had labeled for that position and we feel very fortunate to get him.

"He's not a blazer but he has good speed ÷ not great speed ÷ but is a consistent player who played well for (Arizona). The big thing is the returnability."

Offensive tackle Makoa Freitas was the final Wildcat taken in the draft, picked by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round.

Bobby WadePosition - Wide receiver Round - 5 Pick - 139 Team - Chicago Bears

Like Johnson, cornerback David Hinton also signed a free-agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. As of press time other UA players who might have signed free-agents contracts could not be reached.

"The Eagles have one spot open and I really like my chances," Hinton said. "They called me during the seventh round of the draft and said they were taking a safety but they still had interest in me. They signed me right after the draft ended."

Hinton started 10 games for the Wildcats at cornerback in 2002 but really made headlines with his play in the Paradise Bowl in January where he returned a 49-yard interception for a touchdown.

Lance BriggsPosition - Linebacker Round - 3 Pick - 68 Team - Chicago Bears

"Philadelphia is something that I couldn't turn down," said Hinton who leaves for the Eagles mini-camp on Thursday. "I'm just happy to go anywhere."

All-star games also helped Johnson's stock rise as he was named the MVP in the East-West Shrine Game after completing 17 of 30 passes for 275 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Then in the Hula Bowl, Johnson completed 14 of 24 for 175 yards with a touchdown.

The move to Buffalo actually came as a pleasant surprise to Johnson because his best friend Adam Johnson, a senior quarterback at the University of Buffalo, lives there.

"Hopefully if everything works out we can find a place together," said Johnson, who leaves for Buffalo on Thursday.