The 2024 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Penn State tight end Theo Johnson plans on taking full advantage. Johnson recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Johnson also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, being a “flex” tight end, his favorite route to run, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Johnson better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
Theo Johnson: At Penn State, head coach James Franklin was holding onto all our offers. The staff brought us into coach Franklin’s office and we had no clue what the meeting was about (laughs). We were all pretty confused. We were trying to figure out why we’re meeting with coach Franklin. He brought us into the office and handed us the invites. It was so cool. We got the boxes with the invitations in them. It was a cool moment. Coach Franklin made it a surprise for us.
JM: That sounds like a great moment. What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Theo Johnson: The big thing for me is that it’s a great opportunity that I’ll never get again. I’m never going to play in another Senior Bowl. I watched the Senior Bowl on television when I was a young kid growing up. I always thought it was the coolest thing. I thought about doing it myself someday.
Now that I have the opportunity, it’s awesome. It’s really going to help me throughout this pre-draft process. I’m going to showcase all of my talents. I’m hoping to dominate in Mobile. It’s an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up.
JM: What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Theo Johnson: I’ve always felt overlooked and underappreciated. I’m used to being doubted. I’m trying to show everybody what I’m all about. I want to prove myself at the highest level imaginable. People have different criticisms about my game. Once they see me in person and watch how I practice and move around, they’ll understand that I’m the real deal.
JM: How would you describe your skill set in your own words? Self-scout yourself.
Theo Johnson: I’m a big athlete that is 6-foot-6 but moves around like a 6-foot-2 tight end. I can do pretty much everything. I’m a do-it-all tight end out there. I can do everything a coaching staff can realistically ask of me. I can be a deep threat down the field. I can also be a big part of the run game. I can pass protect as well.
JM: If you had to compare yourself to a current NFL tight end, who would you choose and why?
Theo Johnson: That’s a tough question. I really like watching George Kittle. I probably enjoy watching his tape more than any tight end in the league right now. He’s a do-it-all tight end. He takes as much pride blocking in the run game as he does catching passes.
That aspect of the tight end approach is slowly changing. A lot of tight ends are just big receivers nowadays. George Kittle is a throwback. I have a lot of respect for him and his approach.
JM: I love that comparison. Do you have a favorite route to run?
Theo Johnson: I don’t think I do. I like getting the ball in my hands. Whichever route gets me open on that play, I love getting the ball.
JM: As a pass-catcher, do you feel like size and separation skills are at the forefront of your skill set?
Theo Johnson: The big thing for me is that I have the ability to win with speed at times. I also have the ability to win with brute strength or using my bigger body and frame. Some people possess just one or the other. As a tight end, I have the unique ability to use both whenever I see fit.
JM: What’s on Theo Johnson’s pre-game playlist?
Theo Johnson: I still have a lot of hip-hop I used to listen to in high school. I love that back-in-the-day stuff. There’s a lot of Future on there. Tee Grizzley, Yo Gotti, old Migos, Kodak Black, Meek Mill, Young Thug, Babyface Ray. Those are some of the artists on my playlist.
JM: At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Theo Johnson?
Theo Johnson: It’s all about showing up to every single practice ready to work. I want to be better than I was the day before. It means I made the most of every single practice. I want to be dominant throughout the one-versus-one drills. I’m going to be dominant in the run game as well. I would love to be named a starter for the actual game. I want to walk away with some accolades from the game itself.
