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'''Tyrell Johnson''' (born [[May 19]], [[1985]] in [[Rison, Arkansas]]) is an [[American football]] [[Safety (American football)|safety]] for the [[Minnesota Vikings]] of the [[National Football League]]. He was |
'''Tyrell Johnson''' (born [[May 19]], [[1985]] in [[Rison, Arkansas]]) is an [[American football]] [[Safety (American football)|safety]] for the [[Minnesota Vikings]] of the [[National Football League]]. He was drafted by the Vikings in the second round of the [[2008 NFL Draft]]. He played [[college football]] at [[Arkansas State]]. |
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==Early years== |
==Early years== |
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Revision as of 17:02, 13 May 2008
| Minnesota Vikings | |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| College: | Arkansas State |
| NFL draft: | 2008 / Round: 2 / Pick: 43 |
| Career history | |
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Tyrell Johnson (born May 19, 1985 in Rison, Arkansas) is an American football safety for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Vikings in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arkansas State.
Early years
Tyrell played high school football at Rison High School in Rison, Arkansas, competing at both running back and defensive back. As a senior in 2002 he earned All-State and All-Conference honors despite playing with a high ankle sprain. He also helped his team finish with a perfect record and win the Class 8AA title. He finished his career with three interceptions, 2,725 rushing yards, and 49 touchdowns. He also ran track and played basketball, starting on his high school's state championship basketball team in 2000.
College career
Johnson played college football at Arkansas State. After being redshirted during his freshman year in 2003, he became a starter in 2004 and never lost his job. During his freshman season he earned Freshman All-American and second-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors. During his sophmore year he led the team in tackles with 112 and earned All-Sun Belt Conference first-team recognition. During his junior year in 2006 he earned first-team All-Sun Belt Conference for the second straight year after recording 63 tackles and an interception. His best season came in 2007 as he earned third-team All-American, first-team All-Sun Belt Conference and was the leagues Defensive Player of the Year after recording 94 tackles and six interceptions.
He finished his career playing in 46 games, starting all of them, with a Sun Belt Conference record 363 tackles, 13 interceptions, and four forced fumbles. He also holds the conferences records for interception return yards in a season with 142 in 2007 and tackles in a game with 25 in 2005.
Professional career
Johnson was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft, after the Vikings had traded with the Philadelphia Eagles to move up four selections. Initially projected to be drafted in the third round, scouts were concerned that Johnson never faced the same level of competition as larger schools faced. While Johnson impressed doubters at the Hula Bowl, it wasn't against the elite talent needed to ease scouts' concerns, according to NFLDraftScout.com senior analyst Rob Rang.[1] Johnson stood out at the Scouting Combine, leading all safeties tested with 27 bench press reps at 225 pounds and a 10'7" broad jump. He finished in the top five in the 40-yard dash (4.42) and vertical jump (32") as well. [2]
Tyrell's draft stock went up sharply over the last few weeks leading up to the draft as scouts reviewed his tapes against North Texas and Tennessee. Draft gurus Mel Kiper, Jr. and Mike Mayock both had him listed as the top safety in the draft.[3] Jason La Canfora of The Washington Post wrote that his sources told him Johnson could go as high as to Philadelphia at 19th overall [4] When Johnson was available in the second round, the Vikings gave up their fourth-round pick to the Eagles and got Philadelphia’s fifth-round pick for the rights to move up from the 47th overall pick to 43rd overall pick in the second round. Vikings coach Brad Childress said the team had Johnson ranked at 17th on their draft board [5] before giving up their 17th overall pick and two third round picks in a blockbuster trade for Jared Allen.
Personal
Johnson's father Alvin Robertson played 10 years in the NBA for the San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, and Toronto Raptors[6] His mother, Patricia, also ran track for the University of Arkansas.[7]