Several former Auburn football players heard their names called in the 2021 NFL Draft and secured a spot on football’s biggest stage, but one former Tiger was momentarily stuck without a team.
Former Auburn football running back Kerryon Johnson has just found a new home in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles one day after being released by the Detriot Lions. Johnson led the Lions in rushing for his first two seasons with the team, but with one season left on his contract, the Lions sent the RB packing.
Johnson found the experience of being without a team pretty scary, according to AL.com. He said in a press conference that he is ready to give his all for his new team:
"“But the Eagles, they saw something in me, and I appreciate them for seeing that, and I’m ready to give this organization 100 percent. What I have left is 100 percent. That’s what I’m going to give, that’s what I’m going to fight for, that’s what I’m going to do, that’s who I’m going to be. That’s what I’ve shown in the past, and that’s what I’ll keep showing because I’m ready to go, I’m locked in, I’m ready to roll.”"
Though Johnson joins a crowded running backs room in Philadelphia, he expects to compete for a spot among the other talented guys on the roster. But former Auburn Tiger isn’t just excited about playing with his fellow running backs. Once in-state rivals, Kerryon Johnson and former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts will be playing for the same team.
New Eagles RB Kerryon Johnson says he is glad to finally play with Jalen Hurts. Kerryon went to Auburn
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) May 11, 2021
“He was hell to play against”
“I’m excited to play with him. Awesome leader” pic.twitter.com/BN6wc4nYC8
While Kerryon Johnson played Auburn football from 2015-2017, Jalen Hurts was Alabama’s quarterback from 2016-2018. The pair played in two Iron Bowls together, with Hurts leading the Crimson Tide to victory in 2016 but Kerryon Johnson running the Tigers to a win in 2017. United, the two could be a deadly pair in the big leagues.