Xavier Johnson is getting his shot to play in the NFL as an undrafted free agent.
While he wasn’t selected in the 2024 NFL draft, the former Ohio State wide receiver/running back agreed to a contract with the Buffalo Bills shortly after the draft as an undrafted free agent, according to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz.
.@OhioStateFB WR Xavier Johnson Jr. is signing with the #Bills, per source. pic.twitter.com/5XfQ94FKpe
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 27, 2024
Johnson arrived at Ohio State as a walk-on in 2018 but worked his way up to becoming a versatile role player on offense, a vital special teams player and a team captain for the Buckeyes.
While Johnson never became a consistent starter for the Buckeyes, he thrived as both a wide receiver and running back when called upon, finishing his career with 682 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns on just 70 total offensive touches. He also played the most special teams snaps of any Buckeye for each of the past two seasons, serving as Ohio State’s kickoff returner while also playing regularly on the kickoff, punt and punt return teams.
Johnson’s ability to contribute in so many different ways should go a long way toward his efforts to stick around in the NFL, where versatility is a premium since teams are only allowed to keep 53 players on their active roster.
He’ll still face an uphill battle to making the Buffalo Bills’ roster as an undrafted player, but overcoming the odds is nothing new for Johnson.
“I think my main thing is when I walk in that door, I’m gonna be ready to do anything and everything from special teams to playing on that first day as a receiver, playing as a running back,” Johnson said after Ohio State’s pro day. “If they tell me that they need me to kick, then I’m gonna be out there kicking for six hours a day to try to figure it out. So I’m just gonna put my best foot forward. I’m gonna glorify the Lord first and foremost, try to show that I’m an accountable young man and look up at the end of my career, just like when I did got here, and I think I’m gonna be happy with my results.”
