From Timberline to the NFL

The smoothest and quickest move for Jonathan Stewart on the first day of the NFL draft went nearly undetected as he dodged into the front yard.

Just like he had all Saturday afternoon at his mother's home in Lacey, the former Timberline High School and University of Oregon running back waited eagerly for his cell phone to ring to see where he would spend his professional football future.

Lucky pick No. 13 of the first round was coming up, and the Carolina Panthers were on the clock.

"I saw the Carolina Panthers logo pop up on the TV screen and that was one of the teams (interested in me)," Stewart said. "I thought (the call) was a text message from a friend. I went into it nonchalant. But that phone call was it. He said, 'This is it, big boy. We're about to pull you off the market.' "

As Stewart was on the phone with Carolina officials and tears of joy streamed down his face, he was surrounded by just a handful of friends and family members. But the rest of the nearly 40 invited guests erupted with cheers moments later and greeted Stewart in front of his mom's house after watching the Panthers' selection.

"There are really no words to describe what I'm feeling," Stewart said. "This is just the beginning."

The 5-foot-11, 230-pound Stewart is the first South Sound native to be selected in the first round since former River Ridge High School and University of Washington standout Jerramy Stevens was drafted 28th by the Seattle Seahawks in 2002.

Stewart is the second Oregon player to be drafted in the first round in the past three years. Former Ducks teammate Haloti Ngata was taken 12th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2006 draft.

The first person Stewart spoke with on his cell phone after the Panthers' announcement was Oregon football coach Mike Bellotti, who took time away from the Ducks' spring game to contact his former running back.

Stewart's mom, Lora Faison, doesn't take any credit for her son's success, but instead said, "it's God's gift." She said having her youngest son play for Carolina means she'll be closer to home, too. Faison is from Georgia and still has a Southern lilt in her voice.

"I'm happy, I'm happy for him," Faison said. "I'm almost speechless. I just had trust in God. I knew this day was going to happen."

As the 13th overall pick, Stewart can expect to sign a contract for five or six years at more than $2 million per season, with about $7 million in guaranteed money.

Over the past few weeks, Stewart had either visited or spoken with at least 10 NFL teams. He said he was familiar with the Panthers, who had cut their former starting running back, DeShaun Foster, and were looking for another powerful back to complement their two-back system with third-year veteran DeAngelo Williams.

And coincidently, Carolina became quite familiar with Stewart when he went to Charlotte, N.C., to undergo surgery by the Panthers' team doctor to repair a turf toe injury on his right foot March 12. Stewart remains in a protective boot but says he'll be ready to go when the team's training camp begins in July.

"Training camp is my thing right now," Stewart said. "I have the opportunity to play football again and have the opportunity to show the team that they made the right pick."

During his high school career, Stewart rushed for 7,755 yards and broke the state rushing record just a few games into his senior season.

Despite leaving Oregon after his junior season, he stands fifth in Ducks history in career rushing yards (2,311), including a career-high 253 yards set in the Ducks' 56-21 Sun Bowl win over South Florida on Dec. 31.