Tez Johnson: From College Standout to NFL Rookie Sensation

Keyonteze "Tez" Johnson, born on May 18, 2002, has rapidly ascended from a college football standout to a promising wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). His journey, marked by pivotal decisions and impressive performances, showcases his dedication and skill. Currently playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Johnson's transition from the Troy Trojans to the Oregon Ducks and finally to the NFL highlights his adaptability and potential.

Early Years and Troy Trojans

Before making waves at Oregon, Tez Johnson began his college career with the Troy Trojans. While specific statistics from his time at Troy aren't detailed in the provided text, it's noted that he was the team's leading receiver before entering the transfer portal. This indicates a significant contribution to the Trojans' offense and a promising start to his college career.

Transfer to Oregon Ducks

Johnson ultimately transferred to the Oregon Ducks, joining his adoptive brother Bo Nix, the team's starting quarterback. This move reunited the brothers and added a dynamic element to Oregon's offense.

2024 Season Highlights

In the 2024 season, Johnson played in 12 games, recording 83 receptions for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns. He became Oregon's second-leading receiver, behind Troy Franklin, and helped them reach the 2023 Pac-12 Conference title game. His performance underscored his ability to make significant contributions as a receiver, becoming a key target in Oregon's passing game.

Dynamic Duo with Troy Franklin

Tez Johnson and Troy Franklin formed a dynamic pass-catching duo for the Oregon Ducks. Their combined efforts created a formidable challenge for opposing defenses, contributing significantly to Oregon's offensive success.

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Pac-12 Title Game Appearance

Johnson's contributions were vital in helping the Oregon Ducks secure a spot in the Pac-12 title game. This appearance highlighted his role in the team's success and his ability to perform under pressure in crucial games.

NFL Career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tez Johnson's talent and potential led him to the NFL, where he was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His transition to professional football marks the next chapter in his promising career.

Rookie Season Impact

On the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, receiver Tez Johnson is breaking out in his rookie season with skills he's displayed with the Ducks. Johnson and fellow Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka are the only two rookies in the NFL with more than 250 yards receiving and more than four touchdowns this season. Johnson currently has 255 yards and four touchdowns off 19 receptions. His last game, a 28-23 home loss against the Patriots, yielded Johnson's first ever multi-touchdown match-up; not bad for a receiver that ran under the radar for the 2025 NFL Draft due to a slow 40 yard dash combine time and undersized stature.

Skills Translating From Oregon

Looking at film from Johnson's rookie season, his strength lies in the ways he's able to abruptly jolt into routes, his start to stop ability, and proclivity for finding space in the backfield.

Extra Work Outside the Gridiron

Shepherd confessed there's a board in the Buccaneer's practice facility where athletes with "mental errors" during practices and games were logged, and Johnson frequently featured on the list. As the two athletes continued bickering, Shepherd dropped that Johnson gets private lessons to learn the playbook.

The NFL veteran highlighted his respect for the rookie putting in the extra work, which takes Johnson's natural talent and knowledge from Oregon into the future of the Buccaneers' recieving offense.

Touchdown Celebrations

Johnson was asked about his touchdown celebration flips, a carry-over that started when Johnson was at Oregon as the Ducks defeated the Washington Huskies 49-21 at the end of the 2024 regular season.

According to Johnson, there's more to the story.

"You don't know how bad I wanted to flip in college," Johnson said. "But coach [Dan] Lanning was like 'Tez you better not flip.' I was flipping in practice all the time. Like, that's just what I did."

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