While awaiting to find out which National Football League team would select him yesterday, Jonathan Goff watched a bit of the NFL Draft from his Lynn home — but then turned the TV set off.

"I had a lot of family and friends here and I really enjoyed seeing them again. So my mom (Gwendolyn Tyre) turned the TV off so we could visit," the 6-foot-2, 245-pound linebacker said last night. "I had done everything I could to prepare, and at that point it was out of my hands."

But when the former St. John's Prep and Vanderbilt University standout got a phone call from the New York Giants informing him they were able to select him, Goff's mother quickly put the television back on so everyone could watch the official announcement.

Goff, a two-time captain for the Commodores, was chosen in the fifth round (165th overall) by the defending Super Bowl champions. He spoke with Giants head coach Tom Coughlin and linebackers coach Bill Sheridan by phone.

"I'll report to their mini-camp on May 8 and plan on putting in the work necessary to play," said Goff, who finished his Vandy career with 287 tackles (15 for losses), six sacks and two interceptions while starting his last 39 collegiate games.

"(Sheridan) told me to be ready to learn and give it my all, and I intend to do that. I'll do everything they tell me so I can make special teams or be a backup. I'm really looking forward to it, and will try to contribute in every way I can to help them win the Super Bowl again."

Known as a tough, durable player who reads plays well and is outstanding at making tackles (particularly in the open field), Goff had heard rumors that the Giants were one of the teams interested in him. But having visited only one team (the Tennessee Titans), the two-time Second Team All-Southeastern Conference pick said he didn't really mind what team picked him — as long as he got a chance to play in the NFL.

"I feel really good right now," said Goff, who played middle linebacker at Vanderbilt, but could be moved to the outside with the Giants. "I tried not to pay attention to anything on the Internet because there are so many different opinions offered."

Goff had an impressive showing at the NFL combine in Indianapolis two months ago. He finished in the top five among the 34 linebackers in attendance in the 40-yard dash (4.63 seconds, fifth best) and bench press (29 reps at 225 pounds, good for second best). He worked out with performance coach Tom Shaw to get ready for the combine and hired agent James "Bus" Cook of Mississippi.

Goff, who graduated from Vanderbilt with a degree in engineering, had an outstanding senior season. He had a team-leading 113 tackles (good for fourth best in the SEC), 61/2 of which went for losses. He also registered three sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, two pass breakups and a blocked kick.

An explosive inside backer, Goff's strength is stuffing the run. Commodores assistant coach Warren Belin, who handles the school's linebackers, has coached three who previously went on to the pros and fully expected Goff to be his fourth.

"I called Coach Belin right after I was drafted," said Goff. "He really helped me become a better player, and it was a pleasure working with him. He gave me a vote of confidence and told me I had worked hard for this day."

St. John's Prep head coach Jim O'Leary has now had four of his former players drafted. In addition to Goff, there's fullback Rob Konrad by the Miami Dolphins in 1999 (2nd round, 43rd overall) and two others in the 2003 Draft: current Arizona Cardinals quarterback Brian St. Pierre (5th round, 163rd overall by Pittsburgh) and offensive lineman Wayne Lucier (7th round, 249th overall by the Giants).

"We're excited," said O'Leary of Goff being chosen yesterday. "Jonathan has all the tools to make it. He's a genuine person who works very hard. He's very bright and never in any trouble. He doesn't bring any baggage, which must be refreshing for teams. He played great in the SEC and is one of the nicest boys who ever played for me."

O'Leary relied on Goff's versatility in high school, and says although he did not begin to play the sport until his freshman year, Goff learned very quickly. He was used at the Prep as quarterback, safety, running back, outside linebacker and inside linebacker.

"He's a fine young man with a great smile," said O'Leary. "He won't ever complain and will work hard. I've seen him mature, and he had a great career at Vanderbilt. That wasn't a great team, but they made great strides the two years he was captain. He's quiet, but a leader by example. He's very close to his family and was brought up the right way."

Another player with ties to the area, Zak DeOssie (Philips Andover Academy, Brown University), was a rookie linebacker for the Giants last season, seeing action mostly on special teams. O'Leary believes Goff will be in a similar situation.

The Giants also drafted linebacker Bryan Kehl of BYU in the fourth round after obtaining the pick from the Steelers.

"I went to the BC football camp my junior year in high school and DeOssie was there, too. I was a defensive back and a quarterback then, and I remember him throwing the ball, too," said Goff.