UVA’s Anthony Johnson Headed to Indianapolis for NFL Scouting Combine

Virginia cornerback Anthony Johnson has formally accepted an invite to take part within the 2023 NFL Scouting Mix, held from February twenty seventh by March sixth at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. 

Johnson initially declared for the 2023 NFL Draft again on December 2nd, a choice that got here as no shock as he had exhausted all of his eligibility. Then got here the choice of the NCAA 5 days later to grant a further yr of eligibility to any UVA senior whose eligibility expired on the finish of the 2022 season, opening the door for a possible return for Johnson and some different super-seniors on the Virginia roster. However, it seems that Johnson has reconfirmed his determination to go professional, accepting an invite to the NFL Scouting Mix. 

The end result of the NCAA’s ruling has been a blended bag for Virginia. There have been eight gamers who had the choice for an “further” further yr of eligibility granted by the NCAA, however solely two of these gamers are anticipated to make the most of the extra yr to return to UVA: defensive sort out Aaron Faumui and defensive finish Kam Butler will return to Virginia for the 2023 season. Anthony Johnson, Devontae Davis, Keytaon Thompson, Jack Camper, and Darrius Bratton won’t return to UVA in 2023, whereas Billy Kemp IV will play one other season of faculty soccer, however will achieve this at one other program, as he entered the switch portal final Friday. 

Anthony Johnson made an enormous leap in his ultimate season of faculty soccer in 2022, recording 51 tackles, 14 passes defended, and two interceptions. His growth right into a lockdown nook was a key a part of Virginia’s total defensive enhancements. The Cavaliers had the third-best passing protection within the ACC this season after rating ninth in that class final season. Johnson’s 1.4 passes defended per recreation ranked eighth in all of FBS and 2nd within the ACC, solely trailing fellow UVA teammate Fentrell Cypress II. Johnson and Cypress teamed as much as produce a formidable cornerback duo and among the finest secondary items within the ACC this season.

Sadly for the Cavaliers, they’re now dropping each Johnson and Cypress, who’s transferring to Florida State. John Rudzinski and the UVA defensive teaching employees should exchange the primary cornerback duo to earn All-ACC honors in the identical season within the historical past of the Virginia soccer program. 

Anthony Johnson is one in all round 300 of one of the best school soccer gamers within the nation who obtained an invite to the NFL Scouting Mix, which shall be attended by NFL executives, coaches, and scouts from each NFL workforce. Johnson may also play within the Reese’s Senior Bowl, alongside UVA broad receiver Dontayvion Wicks, on February 4th in Cell, Alabama. 

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