Former Penn State football tight end Theo Johnson was selected by the New York Giants with the No. 107 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Johnson joins Mike Gesicki, Brenton Strange, and Pat Freiermuth as former Penn State tight ends currently in the NFL.

The 6’6,” 260-pounder from Windsor, Canada, was one of the top prospects at his position and in his country coming out of high school. Johnson played as a freshman alongside Freiermuth and Strange in 2020 where he finished with four receptions for 56 yards. After that year, he didn’t have a season with fewer than 200 receiving yards.

Freiermuth left for the NFL after the 2020 season and Strange and Johnson became the next two up. As a redshirt freshman, Johnson saw a jump in production with 19 receptions for 213 yards and a touchdown. That mark was surpassed the next season when he had 20 catches for 328 yards and four touchdowns.

Johnson decided to forgo the NFL Draft after the 2022 season and returned for his fourth year where he was named team captain, was a Mackey Award semifinalist, and played in the Senior Bowl. He also posted career highs across the board statistically. In Johnson’s last year at Penn State, he hauled in 34 receptions for 341 yards and seven touchdowns.

Johnson impressed at the NFL Combine, ranking fourth among all tight ends in total score and second in athleticism score. He had the fastest 20-yard shuttle and finished second in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump at his position.

Johnson became the second Penn State tight end drafted in as many years, following Strange. He joined a Giants team that struggled during the 2023 season, finishing 6-11 near the bottom of the NFC East. After the departure of Saquon Barkley over the offseason, Johnson will be the only Penn Stater on the Giants.