The unlikely trajectory of a seventh-round draft pick's breakout season
In short: In professional sports, the gap between being overlooked and becoming a standout is often measured in single seasons. Tez Johnson’s rise from government subsidized housing to an NFL touchdown record highlights how specific circumstances—and high-level connections—can reshape a career path.
Raised within public housing in Pinson, Alabama, Tez Johnson's life started there following his father's infant-era suicide. A major turning point occurred at age 15, as Bo Nix's family welcomed him into their home. Under the guidance of Pat Nix, who served as his high school coach, Johnson played for Pinson Valley High School. Together with Nix, they secured a class 6A state championship. During his junior year, he earned a spot on the all-state first team. During that year, he recorded 106 receptions for 1,457 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Johnson's collegiate path was marked by consistent production and strategic moves. After a three-year starting stint at Troy University—where he led the team in receiving for two consecutive years (2021 and 2022)—he entered the NCAA transfer portal. He eventually joined the Oregon Ducks to reunite with his adoptive brother, Bo Nix. During his time at Oregon, Johnson became a key contributor to their 2023 Pac-12 Conference title run and won MVP of the Big Ten Championship Game in 2024. As a true freshman at Troy in 2020, he played 11 games. He caught 18 passes for 211 total yards during that debut year.
Despite being selected in the seventh round (235th overall) of the 2025 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Johnson defied typical rookie expectations. In his first season, he appeared in 16 regular-season games and recorded five receiving touchdowns. This feat marked only the second-most touchdown total for a rookie seventh-round pick since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, surpassed only by Marques Colston's eight scores in 2006. He scored his first professional touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers. That play was a 45-yard reception from Baker Mayfield.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Tez Johnson
- Also: Wikidata — Tez Johnson · CC0
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