Colorado State University Athletics
Johnson preparing for Saturday's NFLPA Collegiate Bowl
1/17/2019 6:06:00 PM | Football
Game was springboard last year for Dawkins and Golditch to advance NFL dreams
As with all NFL scouting showcase games, it's the practices during the week that provide significant opportunities to shine, and Johnson is poised to take full advantage after accepting an invitation in December from the NFLPA (NFL Players Association).
The game will be played Saturday at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., and air live on FS1 at 3 p.m. MT.
A 6-0, 203-pound wide receiver from Bear Creek High School in Lakewood, Colo., Johnson played in 49 games in his CSU career and finished ranked 10th in program history with 2,019 receiving yards on 125 receptions (16.2) with 11 TDs. Beginning as a true freshman in 2015, Johnson never redshirted and increased his production each season, culminating in a 54-reception, 796-yard season, averaging 14.7 yards per catch and scoring four touchdowns. He earned his bachelor's degree in hospitality management.
Johnson is a member of the American team at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, coached by Colorado native Chuck Pagano, who earlier this week was hired as the new defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears. Pagano, formerly head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, has a distinguished list of former NFL players on his coaching staff this week, including co-wide receivers coaches Andre Johnson and Plaxico Burress tutoring Johnson. Former Denver Broncos Bertrand Berry, Gus Frerotte and Clinton Portis are coaching on the National Team staff under head coach Mike Tice.
In his CSU career, Johnson also excelled as a punt returner, with 26 career returns for 170 yards (6.5) and a long of 38. Johnson, who holds the CSU single-game record for receiving yards with 265 against Idaho in the 2016 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, recorded three 100-yard games in 2018, including a season-high 157 yards (plus 2 TDs) in the season opener vs. Hawai'i (8/25). He posted five career 100-yard games, and in December 2018.
Johnson has good company to compare to with former teammates who found opportunities after playing in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. Last year running back Dalyn Dawkins (2015-17) and offensive lineman Zack Golditch (2013-17) took part in the Bowl and both signed free agent contracts with NFL clubs after going undrafted in 2018. Dawkins spent training camp with the Tennessee Titans, and then much of the season with the organization on the practice squad, in addition to two stints on the active roster. Golditch spent training camp with the L.A. Chargers, then spent time on the practice squads of the San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts before being signed to the Arizona Cardinals' active roster in November. He played in two games for the Cardinals.
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, which began in 2012, also has featured former Rams tackle Paul Madsen (2012), OL Jared Biard (2014), linebacker Aaron Davis (2015), OL Sam Carlson (2016) and cornerback DeAndre Elliott (2016). Madsen, Davis, Carlson and Elliott all received NFL opportunities as undrafted free agents.
Last week former Rams kicker Wyatt Bryan and offensive tackle Ben Knox took part in the Tropical Bowl. Other Mountain West representatives at this week's NFLPA Collegiate Bowl include New Mexico cornerback Jalin Burrell, Wyoming running back Nico Evans, Nevada LB Malik Reed and UNLV running back Lexington Thomas.
Johnson and other Rams NFL hopefuls will learn in the coming weeks if they receive invitations to the NFL Scouting Combine, which runs from Feb. 26-March 4 in Indianapolis, Ind.
