Oklahoma State receiver Leon Johnson III hopes ‘whirlwind’ football journey includes NFL

FRISCO, Texas — After flying in from the Seattle area, Sarah Johnson sat tensely in the stands of the Ford Center at The Star as she watched her son run and jump and catch passes in the inaugural Big 12 NFL Pro Day.

Yet as nerve-wracking as the event was, it also reminded her of just how incredible the last year of life has been for her son, Leon Johnson III.

The Oklahoma State receiver, who transferred from Division III George Fox University for his final season of college football, stood out among a large group of wideouts on Thursday morning.

The 6-foot-5, 217-pound Johnson had a broad jump of 10 feet, 10 inches, which would have ranked fifth among receivers at the NFL Scouting Combine a month ago. He also had a 35-inch vertical leap and was told he ran a 4.50-second 40-yard dash — though official numbers were not readily available.

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Oct 28, 2023; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Leon Johnson III (17) catches a pass beside Cincinnati Bearcats cornerback Justin Harris (12) during a college football game between Oklahoma State and Cincinnati at Boone Pickens Stadium. Oklahoma State won 45-13. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Terry-USA TODAY Sports

Considering he was close to walking away from football 14 months ago, the last year has been special.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” Sarah said. “He went from maybe being done playing football, to not sure what he was gonna do, to the transfer portal. Then a really fast trip to OSU, and then committing a couple days later. It was insane.

“He was redshirting. Then he’s not redshirting. It’s been bananas. But he’s always reminding me everything is a bonus. Everything that has happened since he left George Fox has been a bonus that we never thought we would…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/oklahoma-state-receiver-leon-johnson-110318823.html

Author : The Oklahoman

Publish date : 2024-03-29 11:03:18

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