Homegrown Gopher Legend Signing with Jets

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Tyler Johnson
Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Gophers finished the 2024 season with an 8-5 record that included a win over Virginia Tech in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Now it’s March and the college football world has turned its focus to 2025 spring practices.

Oh, and don’t forget about Minnesota’s Pro Day, which takes place this week. Multiple 2024 Golden Gophers are looking to get drafted this cycle, including QB Max Brosmer, LB Cody Lindenberg, CB Justin Walley and WR Daniel Jackson, among others. If drafted, Brosmer would become the first Gophers QB selected since 1972.

Minnesota Gophers star wide receivers have excelled in NFL

Draft droughts haven’t been a problem at other positions, though, like safety, cornerback, running back and wide receiver, where the U of M has seen a few Dinkytown stars turn into productive NFL wideouts.

Tyler Johnson
Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Ron Johnson broke the WR mold for Minnesota, during the Glen Mason era (1998-2001), breaking every Gopher receiving record on the books, at the time. Ron was selected in the 4th round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Ravens. Then, there was Eric Decker from 2007-2011.

Decker still sits atop the U of M record books in receptions (227) and receiving yards (3,119). He was taken in the 3rd round of the 2010 draft, and stands as the most NFL productive Gopher WR to ever play at the next level (8 seasons, 439 receptions, 5,816 yards).

But nobody’s forgotten about Tyler Johnson, who played four years in maroon and gold from 2016-2019. Johnson, a 2020 5th round pick, is right up there as one of the best receivers in Minnesota Gophers history.

Minnesota Gophers star WR lands in New York

Late Friday night, the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers legend agreed to terms on a contract with the New York Jets. It will be Johnson’s fourth team in six NFL seasons. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Bucs back in 2019, where he spent the first two years of his pro career (and where he won a Super Bowl with Tom Brady).

After the Bucs cut TJ loose between the 2021 and 2022 NFL seasons, the Minneapolis North native signed with the Texans. After one year in Houston, he landed with the LA Rams. He spent two seasons in blue and yellow, before hitting the open market again this spring.

In four years as a Minnesota Golden Gopher, Tyler Johnson put up truly gaudy receiving numbers. The former high school QB came out of his WR shell as a junior on campus, racking up 1,169 yards — the most of his collegiate career — to go along with 12 touchdowns, which led the Big Ten.

Related: Gophers Draft Prospects Praise PJ Fleck’s Culture at Minnesota

One year later (2019), with phenom sophomore Rashod Bateman by his side, Johnson put up another 1,107 yards and 10 more touchdowns, leading Minnesota to an 11-2 record, one of the best seasons in program history.

When the dust settled on TJ’s career at the University of Minnesota, he had racked up 3,094 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns on 199 receptions, all of which rank top three all-time for Gopher Football.

Tyler Johnson lengthens his NFL career again

The terms of TJ’s deal have not been disclosed, but it stands to reason that Johnson could figure prominently into the Jets plans. As things stand currently, only Garrett Wilson is the only high-end WR talent in New York. Davante Adams left for TJ’s old team, the LA Rams. Allen Lazard remains on the roster, as a lingering favor to Aaron Rodgers.

Johnson was featured prominently due to injuries for both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. In 15 games (two starts) Johnson hauled in 26 receptions for 291 yards and a touchdown. The former Super Bowl champion and Minneapolis native is just 26 years old. He continues to grab opportunities to show what he can do.

New York’s roster is hardly overflowing with playmaking talent, and Johnson could finally get a chance to carve out a prominent part of the offense. How well Justin Fields fares during his first season in New York will play prominently into how well Tyler Johnson fairs in the Big Apple.

Related: Four-Star CB Commits to Gophers Over Big Money Helmet Schools

The Jets are taking a chance on a player that started six games for Pittsburgh, and posted a 4-2 record, before Russell Wilson took over. The former Ohio State Buckeye has familiarity with Wilson, but he’ll need to establish other rapport to be successful.

If Johnson can quickly integrate himself with his new quarterback, he could earn the favor of new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn. At this point it seems like a relatively small move, but there is a potential for the Minnesota Gophers former standout to truly have a breakout season.

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