As he made the transition from Notre Dame High School to Tulane University, outside linebacker Patrick Johnson was a two-star prospect, according to the 247Sports.com composite rankings, and the nation’s 3,022nd-ranked signee in the 2017 class.
Four years later, Johnson will be undertaking another shift after significantly enhancing his value.
The 6-foot-2, 240-pounder was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles early in the seventh round Saturday afternoon as the NFL draft’s 234th overall pick. Johnson played in 49 career games in four seasons with the Green Wave, setting the program’s career sacks standard with 24.5.
“Fly Eagles Fly!!” Johnson exclaimed Saturday night via Twitter.
“I got the phone call, and it was an unreal feeling,” Johnson said Saturday night on a Zoom call with Eagles reporters. “It’s something I’ve been waiting for ever since I was a little kid. I think I bring a lot to the table, especially as a rusher, and I think Philadelphia fans are really going to love watching me play.”