George Johnson Signs NFL Free Agent Contract with Tampa
May 03 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (May 3, 2010) – Former Rutgers standout defensive end George Johnson (Glassboro, N.J.) has signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is the third Scarlet Knight on Tampa’s roster, joining offensive linemanJeremy Zuttah and defensive back Derrick Roberson.
Including Johnson, seven Scarlet Knights from the 2009 squad were drafted or have signed free agent contracts.
Johnson played in 51 career games at Rutgers and started in each of his four seasons “On the Banks.” Johnson started all 26 games over his final two years in Piscataway and ended his career with 134 total tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. Johnson picked off two passes from his defensive end position in his career and also recovered three fumbles and broke up three passes.
Rutgers finished with three players selected in the 2010 NFL Draft. For the first time in school history, two Scarlet Knights were drafted in the first round - offensive tackle Anthony Davis (Piscataway, N.J.) 11th overall to the 49ers and defensive back Devin McCourty (Nanuet, N.Y.) - who was selected 27th overall by the Patriots.
Ryan D’Imperio (Sewell, N.J.)was selected in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. D’Imperio was chosen with the 237th pick of the NFL Draft. The Vikings drafted D’Imperio to play fullback.
The Scarlet Knights were the only school in the BIG EAST with two first round selections and the first league school since 2004 to have multiple first round picks.
In the last four NFL Drafts, Rutgers is tied for the BIG EAST lead with 13 players selected.
Three former Rutgers standouts – wide receiver Tim Brown (Miami, Fla.), fullback Jack Corcoran (Atlantic City, N.J.) and offensive lineman Kevin Haslam (Mahwah, N.J.) – inked NFL free agent contracts with the New York Giants, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars, respectively.
