Jamie Silva no longer feels like a stranger in a strange land.

The former Boston College safety grew up in New England as a Patriots fan, but after a year with the Colts, he’s right at home in Indianapolis.

“It’s great playing for the Colts. By now, I’ve totally transformed out of Patriots mode and into the Colts’ family, 100 percent,” Silva said. “I like it. My friends really don’t give me a hard time — they’re all happy for me. I’ve been able to convert them. I usually grief from other New Englanders, people who don’t really know me. They give me the hardest time.”

The 24-year-old Silva grew up in Rhode Island, and made his name at BC. With the Eagles, he matured into one of the best defensive backs in the country as a senior — in 2007, Silva recorded 125 tackles (82 solo, 43 assisted) and 8 interceptions. He was a consensus first-team All-America selection, as well as one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation’s top defensive back.

He wasn’t drafted, but ended up signing a free agent deal with Indianapolis. The 5-foot-11, 209-pound defensive back spent most of the season on the 53-man roster, playing primarily on special teams and finishing with 17 tackles. It was a remarkable experience for Silva, who is happy and comfortable with the Indianapolis organization.

“The guys there are real good guys. The coaches are standup guys as well,” Silva said.

That’s not to say the transformation from college to the pros hasn’t been difficult at times. Silva recalls his first taste of NFL life. He was on the Colts’ kickoff coverage team in a preseason game against the Falcons, and soon realized that it was a far cry from life at The Heights.

“I remember in college, running down on kickoffs and people able to just push guys over and being able to do what I wanted when I wanted,” he recalled. “But this past year in the preseason, I was running down on the opening kickoff in a game against the Falcons and I tried shrugging off a guy who was 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, and he welcomed me to the NFL. That was it for me. I remember when I was on the ground, he was shaking me. I said, ‘This isn’t college football anymore.’”

With his rookie season in the rearview mirror, it’s been an eventful offseason for Silva. Off the field, he recently got engaged. In addition, he’s now part of a national campaign for Under Armour, taped a PSA for Indiana public schools and was a VIP guest at “The Jerry Springer Show.”

On the field, he will likely be in the mix for the Colts at free safety in 2009. Whatever happens, he’s just happy to be done with his rookie year. The post-college, pre-draft stretch can be a harrowing time for an NFL prospect, as you have control of almost no aspect of your professional life. For the guys who are about to go through the roller coaster ride he’s endured over the last 12 moths, Silva has some simple advice.

“Just remember that football is football,” he said. “I’ve already told a few BC guys who are going to be in the draft about this. They are good football players — there’s a reason they’re getting looked at by these teams. Just go out there and work your hardest. You know how good you guys are — don’t let anyone intimidate you. When you get down to it, at the end of the day, football is football.”

Christopher Price covers football for WEEI.com.