Kansas football: Ben Johnson has rare opportunity with Chargers
By Stan Unruh
A member of the 2017 Kansas football offense is heading to an NFL minicamp. There is a rare opportunity for tight end Ben Johnson in Los Angeles.
The NFL draft is a wild event. A week ago, Kansas football fans watched and waited to see which NFL team would add Dorance Armstrong to their roster. The Cowboys surprised a few opponents and selected the defensive end in round four of the seven round party. Just as Dallas is a perfect fit for the Texas native, Southern California might be a perfect fit for Jayhawk Ben Johnson.
After the seven-round draft, the 32 NFL teams get very busy finding and signing the best of the rest. In 2018, that list included five Jayhawks who participated in the Pro Day workouts in March. The Los Angeles Chargers wasted no time in getting a signature from tight end Ben Johnson. As a matter of fact, the Chargers signed as many free agent players as any team following the draft. Johnson is one of 21 free agents headed to the Chargers minicamp and the only tight end.
There is a long list of Un-drafted Jayhawks making significant contributions in the NFL. Johnson can join that list. Despite a Pro Day 40-yard dash time of 4.95, there is every reason to believe the 6-foot-5, 247-pound Johnson can earn a roster spot. In the first place, the Chargers really need a tight end after announcing they would not bring back 15-year veteran Antonio Gates. Nobody expected that move. This is a perfect situation for the Basehor, Kansas native.
Johnson does not have to be another Antonio Gates
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The Chargers added defensive talent in the first four rounds of this month’s draft. On the other hand, the team selected a center in round five and finished with a wide receiver and running back. Johnson won’t need to do much to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. He doesn’t have to be another Antonio Gates. Jayhawk fans know Johnson can catch the football. Although he caught only 30 passes for David Beaty in 2017, Johnson will now get to catch footballs thrown by seven-time pro bowl quarterback Phillip Rivers.