Penn State TE Theo Johnson declares for NFL Draft, announces bowl decision
One of Penn State’s offensive weapons has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Tight end Theo Johnson announced his decision to enter the draft Friday afternoon via X, formerly known as Twitter. While Johnson will not be with the Nittany Lions next season, he added in his announcement that he will play in the Peach Bowl against Ole Miss.
Johnson will leave the program after a career that saw him amass 922 yards and 11 touchdowns on 75 catches to this point. He added 32 catches for 325 yards and six touchdowns this season to reach those totals and, with with four receiving yards against Ole Miss, he would finish his final collegiate season with career highs in all three categories.
He’s the second Nittany Lion to declare for the draft after defensive end Chop Robinson did the same. Robinson, unlike Johnson, will not play in the bowl game. Johnson had one more year of eligibility remaining.
Without the tight end, Penn State will have a relatively inexperienced room to turn to next season. TE Tyler Warren is a veteran and the presumed starter, if he doesn’t declare for the draft as well, and would be backed up by current redshirt sophomore Khalil Dinkins, who saw limited snaps this season as the third tight end. Beyond those two, the team will have players with very limited experience on offense returning in Jerry Cross, Andrew Rappleyea and Joey Schlaffer at the position.
This story was originally published December 8, 2023 at 1:25 PM.
