Texas A&M Football: 3 Aggies likely to be taken in the 2021 NFL Draft

Texas A&M Football Prospect: Buddy Johnson, LB

Buddy Johnson was, far and away, the best all-around athlete on the Texas A&M Football roster in 2020. In high school, he played all over the field, playing as a first-team linebacker while leading the team in rushing and receiving. He even filled in at quarterback at times.

At the college level, he played linebacker. And he played it well.

Johnson wouldn’t really show up in the national spotlight until his junior season when he recorded a team-high 77 tackles, 9 for loss, and a sack while starting in 13 games. He proved that he would step up as the leader of a very strong defensive unit.

He’d follow up this junior season with an even better senior year, leading the team in tackles once again with 86. He also recorded a pick-six, 3 pass breakups, and 2 forced fumbles. Just reading the numbers makes you question why he isn’t a first-round prospect.

The primary reason is that his distinct weakness is his pass coverage. He’s not bad, but it’s a clear hole in his game that will affect him at the next level. NFL teams are passing more than ever, so this will be a key area of improvement for Johnson in the league.

That said, his draft stock would rise once again after a strong TAMU Pro Day, running a blinding-fast sub 4.60 40-yard dash. He ran a 4.07 shuffle, quieting anybody who said that his feet were not quick enough for the next level. He would also add a 38.2-inch vertical. He’d add a 10′-8″ broad jump.

Draft Projection: Round 3-5