The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Johnson drafted by Jacksonville Jaguars
04.25.2020 | Football
Texas WR Collin Johnson selected in the fifth round with the 165th overall pick.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas wide receiver Collin Johnson was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 165th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft on Saturday.
"It's unreal. I'm just so thankful I got the opportunity with Jacksonville, and it's almost surreal," Johnson said. "I got the call and I made it all worth it. I've never been to Florida in my life, but it looks like that's going to be my new home for the next few years. I don't know much right at the moment, I have to do my research on the franchise, but I know it will be a great place to play and they have some exciting players on offense like Gardner Minshew. More importantly, I know that's the team that gave me an opportunity, so I'm excited."
Johnson is the second Texas receiver taken in this year's draft (Devin Duvernay, Baltimore Ravens) and the 10th UT wideout drafted since the NFL Draft moved to its current seven-round format in 1994. The selection of Johnson and Duvernay marks the first time since 2004 that two Longhorn receivers have been taken in the same draft (Roy Williams and Sloan Thomas). In addition to Johnson and Duvernay, S Brandon Jones was also drafted this year, marking the 15th time in the last 20 drafts at least three Longhorns have been chosen. Johnson joins Tony Brackens (1996, second round) as the only Longhorns selected by the Jaguars in franchise history.
"With Collin, you're getting a guy that's obviously a Longhorn Legacy, a captain and a guy that's got tremendous length," Texas head coach Tom Herman said. "He really worked hard in his time here at Texas to add strength and speed to that length, and did a phenomenal job. He can high-point the football as well as anyone I've been around and has got great body control and ball skills. He's a really improved route-runner for a guy who is 6-foot-6. He can get in and out of his cuts, and is a ferocious blocker, too. He swallows people up with his size and length."
Johnson was limited to only seven appearances in 2019 due to injury, but made the most of his time on the field by catching 38 passes for 559 yards and three touchdowns. He recorded two 100-yard games, making seven catches for 101 yards on the road against TCU and then hauling in seven passes for 110 yards and a touchdown against Kansas State. Johnson closed out his collegiate career by making three catches for 62 yards and a touchdown against No. 11 Utah in Texas' Valero Alamo Bowl win.
The San Jose, California native played in 45 games with 29 starts during his time on the Forty Acres. Johnson made 188 receptions (No. 6 in school history) for 2,624 yards (No. 5) and 15 touchdowns (No. 9) for his career. He was also a Biletnikoff Award, Wuerffel Trophy and Walter Camp Award watch-list candidate at various points in his career.
Johnson was an Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection in 2019 and was twice a member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll. He graduated from The University of Texas with a degree in physical culture and sport, along with a minor in business.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
ESPN analyst Louis Riddick
"This is a good compliment to (Jaguars') second-round pick Laviska Shenault out of Colorado, (Johnson is) a much different type of player – a long, angular player, 6-5, 222 pounds, who is just an absolute high riser on the outside. He will go and take the ball off the top of the backboard, let alone the top of the rim. He's a jump ball expert, you see it over and over again in the 50-50 catch situations. I was down in San Antonio and watched Texas play against Utah in the Alamo Bowl, and on the first play of the game they threw him a jump ball in the middle of the field, and he went up and got it. And he's got deceptive speed. He may not time in the 4.4s or 4.3s, but he plays plenty fast, has tremendous body control, and again, this is a nice complimentary piece to Laviska Shenault to add to the group down there in Jacksonville. (Quarterback) Gardner Minshew should be sitting there thinking, "I've got some pretty good guys to throw the football to here. Let me see if I can raise my game." No question about that."
Collin Johnson
On the moment:
"I'm at my girlfriend's house and I was sitting there with the family, and I started slipping a little later than I thought I would, but at the end of the day, I just kept telling myself all I need is an opportunity. When I got the call, it made everything worth it. I know I'm going make the best of my shot."
On the call:
"I talked to all of them. I talked to the head coach and the GM, and they all call me. Honestly, I kind of blacked out (laughing), I just saw Jaguars pop up on my phone, and it was definitely a really cool feeling."
On his family's reaction:
"Their reaction was happy for me and relieved, just like me. My dad played in the NFL, so that's special, and I'm just excited."
On having other Longhorns in the NFL for support:
"No question that's great, and the one I want to give the most credit to is Charles Omenihu. He's guided me through this whole process. He's looked after me the whole time and has been checking up on me and telling me to stay patient. You see how his career has gone so far after getting drafted in the fifth round, so he's been giving me great advice."
On being prepared for the NFL coming out of Texas:
"I feel very prepared in every way. I'm confident in my abilities and I'm confident in my work ethic that was instilled in me by Coach Herman and Coach McKnight and the program, and I'm just ready to get started."
ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Lone Star State ➡️ Sunshine State. @Call_In_Johnson is now a member of the @Jaguars! 🤘#ThisIsTexas #HookEm #NFLDraft #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/55t9N4xuhE
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 25, 2020
The call is in 📱
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) April 25, 2020
With the 165th Pick, we select @Call_In_Johnson of @TexasFootball pic.twitter.com/kDB1URFG2o
Guess the pick is... alright, alright, alright 😏 https://t.co/OQeqejnJzi
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) April 25, 2020
Jacksonville, IM READY!! 🐆 pic.twitter.com/KGhlAi61KI
— Collin Johnson (@Call_In_Johnson) April 25, 2020
Breaking down @Call_In_Johnson. 🤘 @ESPNNFL#ThisIsTexas #HookEm #NFLDraft #TexasMade pic.twitter.com/P71flzTbdS
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 25, 2020
Playing in the NFL is about opportunity, @Jaguars thank you! Congrats @Call_In_Johnson now it's time to go take advantage of that opportunity! @KirkoGrinds @CamilleMarie17 @TexasFootball
— Johnnie Johnson (@PapaJohnson28_9) April 25, 2020
