The Pittsburgh Steelers have brought in a quarterback to their rookie camp that could possibly have one of the biggest upsides out of all the undrafted free agents. Former five-star and one of the top quarterbacks of the 2017 class, Hunter Johnson recently got his shot to potentially play in the NFL after having his college career not go as planned.
Bob Leverone / AP
Clemson's Hunter Johnson (15) looks to pass against Miami during the second half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C.
After the Cleveland Browns' current quarterback, Deshaun Watson enrolled in the 2017 NFL Draft, Johnson was expected to be the next big thing for the University of Clemson. Johnson would be the third-string quarterback as a true freshman and from there, things would take a turn for the worse. First would be the addition of the generational talent known as Trevor Lawrence.
Lawrence would go on to bring a National Championship to Clemson as well as win the ACC Athlete of the Year in 2021. Meanwhile, Johnson would have already transferred to Northwestern University in attempts to make a name for himself. On Friday, Trib-Live's Chris Adamski and other members of the media spoke with Johnson about his outlook going into camp.
"It’s definitely not how I pictured it going. But I wouldn’t change it."
AP Photo/Tony Avelar
Northwestern quarterback Hunter Johnson (15) in action against Stanford during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Stanford, Calif.
Before coming into Steelers' rookie minicamp, Johnson would have trials with one of them being that he had to sit out a year at Northwestern in 2018. This was mandatory so that he could be eligible to play the following year. Then when he got his shot, it didn't go as planned. He would throw for only 432 yards, with one touchdown and four interceptions.
After things didn't work out, he would decide to go back to Clemson for the 2021 season and would fill the backup role for D.J. Uiagalelei and Cade Klubnik. This would lead up to where he is now, 25 years old getting a shot in the Steelers rookie minicamp.
Rainier Ehrhardt / AP
Steelers' Rookie Camp QB Hunter Johnson celebrates a touchdown with former Steelers' Wide Reciever Deon Cain.
Steelers Giving Johnson A Shot
It's not rare for a quarterback to take a chance and run with it. Look at Tom Brady. He went from being a sixth-round pick to arguably the best player in NFL history. A more realistic example is Devlin Hodges and what he was able to accomplish in his short time with the Steelers as he would throw for over 1,000 yards and have five touchdowns due to the injuries of Ben Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph in 2019.
Although he was never able to prove himself at the collegiate level, that five-star rating means something, even at the NFL level. He is keeping a positive outlook on where he is at now and is ready for this opportunity.
"I feel good. I feel like this is where I am supposed to be – and hopefully I am here a little longer." Johnson then went on to state: "I know I am only guaranteed a couple days here, so I am hoping to extend that a little bit. It’s cool ending up at a place like this. It’s definitely something that you think about as a kid, so now that I’m finally here, just go out and just play."
Justin Berl / Getty Images
Devlin Hodges #6 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass in the fourth quarter during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Heinz Field on December 15, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
So, what do you think Steeler Nation? Could Johnson come and fill the role of the third quarterback on the depth chart for the Steelers? Who do you see making the roster? Let me know in the comments below!
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