DRAFT-DAY GEMS : JOHNSON AND OGDEN WILL BE SNAPPED UP.

Byline: Gary Washburn Daily News Staff Writer

On the crowded platform of publicity called New York, Keyshawn Johnson emerges in the middle of Times Square, gleaming with excitement over the possibility of being the Big Apple's next media darling.

Johnson has answered all the questions, taken all the tests and run all the 40-yard dashes required to be a top National Football League pick in Saturday's draft. The former USC All-American wide receiver with a smile as impressive as his ability to get open has packaged himself as a franchise player - or at least an impact player worthy of being the No. 1 pick, which is owned by the New York Jets.

Endorsement deals haven't yet been prepared for UCLA's Jonathan Ogden, the ``other'' L.A. guy expected to be chosen among the top 5. He hasn't visited with the Jets. The 6-foot-8, 320-pound left tackle hasn't stalked several NFL cities in publicity tours. The highlight of his NFL journeys has been a heart-to-heart chat with Arizona Cardinals owner Bill Bidwell, who, with the draft's third pick, expressed the desire to make Ogden the cornerstone of their offensive line.

``I'm ready for the challenge,'' Odgen said. ``If it's Arizona, then it's Arizona. I'm ready for the NFL.''

Johnson is already in New York and on Wednesday he signed an endorsement deal with Adidas. But fans may never see Johnson sporting the shoes' logo. Starting this season, the NFL will require all players to wear league-endorsed Nike or Reebok cleats, meaning that Johnson will have to tape his shoes to cover the logo for in every game or face a $10,000 fine.

A multi-million-dollar signing bonus, which the No. 1 pick is expected to receive, could cover that.

Johnson and Ogden have been at opposite ends of the L.A. football spectrum since they entered college. The sleek 6-foot-3, 217-pound Johnsonwooed scouts with his ability to create open space despite playing against faster defenders. He caught 90 passes for 1,218 yards and six touchdowns and burned the Northwestern secondary for 216 yards in the 1996 Rose Bowl.

The New York Jets are close to making Johnson the first Trojan to be selected No. 1 in the NFL draft since Tampa Bay chose running back Ricky Bell in 1977.

``I think I could help the New York Jets,'' Johnson said. ``But I think I would work out anywhere. Any team that drafts me will be fine. I just want to play in the NFL.''

There's no stat sheet for Ogden. The Washington, D.C., native has quietly gained respect and been tabbed as one of the Pac-10's best lineman in recent history. In four dominating years at UCLA, he allowed just three sacks, the last in 1993.

Johnson's good looks will make him an marketing icon for endorsements while Odgen has accentuated his intimidating appearance by adding an Afro, making him appear more intimidating.

There's just one thing these two have in common: millions of dollars and loads of expectations. While Johnson has been flown to New York, Ogden has been competing in his senior track season. The 22-year old is just two quarters away from graduation despite playing as a true freshman and competing on the track team.

``I haven't really talked to him about going top 5,'' Odgen said about Johnson. ``I just kind of shoot the breeze with him more than anything else. I'm not trying to make history.''

Despite his lack of media attention, Odgen has collected many compliments from the NFL teams he has interviewed with. In addition to his outstanding technique and franchise-player ability, Ogden scored a whopping 35 on the NFL's Wonderlic intelligence test, which quizzes prospective picks on general knowledge.

``Once football becomes his main focus, he's destined to become a pro-bowl-caliber offensive tackle,'' said Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN's NFL Draft analyst. ``He should figure to be one of the more valued players in the NFL.''

Johnson did not impress scouts with his blazing speed, but somehow he continues to get open and make big plays, prompting scouts to compare him to Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin. It's Johnson's play-making ability that has him slated to be the first receiver picked No. 1 since 1984 when the New England Patriots chose Irving Fryar.

``Keyshawn will be the No. 1 pick to the Jets,'' Kiper predicted. ``I was super high on Irvin when he came out of Miami and I feel exactly the same about Johnson. This kid has star quality.''

But unlike Ogden, who came to UCLA from a Washington prep school, Johnson emerged at USC after an adolescence that included time in a youth detention center. After failing to pass the SAT as a high school senior, Johnson finally decided to utilize his tremendous talents.

``It took me about a year to decide really what I wanted to do,'' Johnson said. ``I had to figure out that I was a football player. I don't see myself as a receiver but a football player. Hopefully, that's the mentality that has put me in this position.''

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2 Photos

Photo: (1--color) If USC wide receiver isn't the first p ick in the NFL draft this weekend, it will come as a surprise to a lot of people - including Keyshawn Johnson.

Hans Gutknecht / Daily News

(2--color) UCLA offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden is considered to be the top offensive lineman available in the NFL draft.

Michael Owen Baker / Daily News