Saints Will Work Out Local Louisiana WR at Pro Day
The New Orleans Saints will be hosting a Pro Day for local prospects and it’s reported by NFL Draft Diamonds that wide receiver Byron Johnson from Southeastern Louisiana University will attend.
Johnson himself is a local from the university centered in Hammond, LA. and is listed as being born in New Orleans and attended Zachary High School — which is in suburban Baton Rouge.
While in high school he not only participated in football but also ran track there and was a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes while also being honored with All District 5-5A performer and the Iron Horse Award.
Listed at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds (NDD has him currently at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds), Johnson originally started at Millsaps University where he played football and track before transferring to SLU, where he saw playing time starting in 2013.
Oct 17, 2015; Hammond, LA, USA; Southeastern wide receiver Byron Johnson during a game against Stephen F. Austin in the first half Saturday at Strawberry Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Bergeron – SLU Public Info
He played in 13 games, starting one, that year registering one reception for 23 yards and one rushing attempt for 10 yards.
In 2014, he again played in 13 games with two starts and three catches for 35 yards; while also recovering a fumble for a touchdown.
At the end of the 2014 season Johnson earned the football team’s Strength and Conditioning Award with director of sports performance Brandon Howard telling the Lions Roar News:
"“He exemplifies everything that we strive to do, not only as people but as football players. This young man comes in every day on time and works with a passion we look for in all our players.”"
That award would piggyback onto the 2015 season, which would be Johnson’s best where he played in every game and had 12 receptions for 212 yards and one touchdown.
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In terms of measurables, Johnson is listed as running a 4.47 40-yard dash, 10’8 broad jump, and a 39 inch vertical, which was better than some receivers at the NFL Scouting Combine like Cody Core of Ole Miss, and on par like other touted receivers like Oklahoma’s Sterling Shepard.
While some may look at Johnson’s touchdown numbers as a gauge of his performance, the one thing he did well was getting open during his time as a receiver at SLU and averaged 16.9 yards per catch during his three years there.
Also a big draw for the Saints could be the aforementioned work ethic and team mindset he displayed while attending SLU; which Lions head football coach Ron Roberts emphasized as does Saints head coach Sean Payton…