Tyrell Johnson (American football)

Infobox NFLactive
name=Tyrell Johnson
currentteam=Minnesota Vikings
currentnumber=25
currentpositionplain=Safety
birthdate=birth date and age|1985|5|19
birthplace=Rison, Arkansas
heightft=6
heightin=0
weight=207
debutyear=2008
debutteam=Minnesota Vikings
college=Arkansas State
draftyear=2008
draftround=2
draftpick=43
pastteams=
* Minnesota Vikings (2008-present)
status=Active
highlights=
* Second-team All-Sun Belt (2004)
* 3x First-team All-Sun Belt (2005-2007)
* Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year (2007)
* Third-team All-American (2007)
nfl=JOH488871

Marcellous "Tyrell" Johnson (born May 19, 1985 in city-state|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 sophomore 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

Pre-draft

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. [ [http://www.nfldraftscout.com/members/08rangsgang.php Rang's Gang] ] 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. [ [http://sea.scout.com/2/744800.html Tyrell Johnson: Forgotten Man Gains Ground] ]

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. [ [http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080425/SPORTS/804250330/1006 Sun Belt draft outlook] ] Jason La Canfora of "The Washington Post" wrote that his sources told him Johnson could go as high as to Philadelphia at 19th overall [ [http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/2008/04/draft_update.html?nav=rss_blog Jason La Canfora Draft Update] .]

Minnesota Vikings

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.

On October 6, 2008 Johnson made his first career interception against New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

Personal

Johnson's father Alvin Robertson played 10 years in the NBA for the San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, and Toronto Raptors [ [http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/18305359.html Star Tribune: A quick look at Tyrell Johnson] ] His mother, Patricia, ran track for the University of Arkansas. [ [http://arkansasstate.scout.com/a.z?s=334&p=2&c=744800 Forgotten Man Gains Ground] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.asuindians.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=35558&SPID=2798&DB_OEM_ID=7200&ATCLID=204009 Arkansas State bio]
* [http://www.vikings.com/TeamPlayerProfile_Tyrell_Johnson.aspx Minnesota Vikings bio]