Texas A&M safety Antonio Johnson declares for 2023 NFL Draft
Texas A&M safety Antonio Johnson has officially made a decision on his future and whether to enter the 2023 NFL Draft. The 2021 second-team AP All-SEC selection will be forgoing his remaining eligibility to enter the 2023 NFL Draft.
He announced the news on his Twitter account, thanking God, his family, coaches and teammates, the fans and his mentors before revealing his decision.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to forego my senior season and declare for the 2023 NFL Draft,” Johnson wrote.
Johnson was a true junior who has made a significant impact for the Aggies in all three of his playing seasons, though an injury halfway through the 2022 campaign limited his contributions this fall.
The star safety started all 12 games for Texas A&M in 2021, earning second-team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press after racking up 79 tackles (second on the team), 8.5 tackles for a loss, 1.0 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and six passes defended.
Going into the 2022 season he was expected to be one of the veteran leaders for Texas A&M and things certainly started off that way. In the first six games he recorded 61 tackles, well on his way to eclipsing his 2021 numbers, before an undisclosed injury sidelined him midway through the season.
Assuming Johnson’s injury doesn’t turn up any red flags during the pre-draft process, he’s a potential first-round NFL Draft pick.
More on the 2023 NFL Draft
The 2023 NFL Draft is set to take place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event will be held at the plaza just outside of Union Station.
Round 1 of the NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.
To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility. 100 underclassmen were approved for last year’s draft. 73 of those 100 underclassmen were granted special eligibility while 27 of them were underclassmen who had completed their college degrees.
The 2023 NFL scouting combine will take place from Feb. 28 through March 6 in Indianapolis.