Penn State tight end Theo Johnson announces plans to enter NFL Draft, be with Lions for Peach Bowl
Penn State tight end Theo Johnson entered the 2023 season with lofty aspirations, assuming the top role in the position room. Now, he’s made his decision on the role he’ll have, or not, with the Nittany Lions next year. Johnson is declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft but will play in the Peach Bowl.
“Thank you to Coach Franklin, Coach Howle, the coaches, players, staff and the fans for making my time at Penn State an unforgettable experience,” Johnson wrote on Twitter. “After a lot of thought and prayer, I will be declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft. I cannot wait to be with my Penn State Football family one last time when we compete at the Peach Bowl.”
The choice for Johnson comes after a regular-season that was mixed. After a slow start, he finished the 2023 season as Penn State’s second-leading receiver. He tallied 32 catches for 325 yards and six touchdowns, pushing past a slow start statistically.
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What is Penn State tight end Theo Johnson’s NFL Draft stock?
The performance was Johnson’s fourth significant contribution to the Nittany Lions following his enrollment in 2020, where he played right away.
From the jump, that meant four receptions for 56 yards as the Nittany Lions’ second tight end target to Brenton Strange. Strange, of course, assumed the starting role following an early season injury to Pat Freiermuth.
To follow up his debut season, Johnson took on more of a receiving role with the Nittany Lions. He recorded 19 receptions for 213 yards and a touchdown, including a long reception of 37 yards. Sticking with Strange for a third campaign in 2022, he notched 20 catches over 11 games played for 328 yards and four scores.
For his Penn State career, that has meant a combined 75 catches for 922 yards and 11 touchdowns for Johnson. Given that production, Johnson has fluctuated throughout his career in his draft projections. Quick for his size, Johnson’s late-season outburst included 14 catches and four touchdowns over the final five regular season games. Because of it, his trajectory is moving back up in some draft circles. At present, he would be considered a likely late-round pick or undrafted free agent.
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