Vikings UDFA Profile: Southeastern Louisiana QB/WR Cephus Johnson III
Over the next couple weeks, Inside the Vikings will be taking a look at all 15 members of Minnesota's 2023 undrafted free agent class.
Vikings UDFA profile: Southeastern Louisiana QB/WR Cephus Johnson III
- Size: 6'5", 220
- RAS: 8.58 (unofficial)
- 2022 stats: 119/184, 1,354 passing yards, 10 TD, 5 INT, 488 rush yards, 5 rush TD
The most fascinating member of the Vikings' UDFA class is Cephus Johnson III, a big-time athlete who played at two small southern schools and could theoretically play any number of positions in the NFL.
Johnson began his college career as a quarterback at South Alabama, completing just 50 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns (8 passing, 4 rushing) and eight interceptions in his first two seasons. He then transferred to Southeastern Louisiana, an FCS school, and had to wait until spring 2021 to play because of the pandemic. In his first year there, Johnson was a backup QB and receiver who had 30 rushing attempts, three completions, two receptions, and two total touchdowns.
In fall 2021, Johnson's versatile role grew a bit larger, as he had 37 carries, five receptions, five completions, and seven total scores. Last season, he was strictly a quarterback but still leaned heavily on his athleticism in the running game, with 184 passing attempts and 84 rushes.
Johnson doesn't have the polish to play quarterback in the NFL. What he does have is elite size and athleticism, which will give him the chance to potentially carve out some kind of role. The Vikings are listing him as a wide receiver, but he could also bulk up and play tight end, run sneaks or other rushing plays as a QB, and contribute on special teams. This about taking a low-risk chance on a football player with size and speed and skill.
For more on Johnson's story, this article by Zak Keefer in The Athletic is a great read. The ceiling for a player like Johnson is to become the next Taysom Hill: a college quarterback who develops into a do-it-all weapon in the NFL. Hill, who went undrafted in 2017, started out on special teams and has 42 career touchdowns for the Saints (23 rushing, 10 passing, 9 receiving).
In theory, Johnson's athleticism could make him a special teams force and someone who could simulate big, mobile quarterbacks on the scout team during practice. And if he's ever able to earn a spot on the Vikings' roster, he could be an emergency third quarterback, too.
As with any undrafted free agent, it's a long shot. But Johnson's physical tools and football ability make him someone to watch at rookie minicamp this weekend and beyond.
Vikings' offseason wide receiver depth chart:
- Justin Jefferson
- Jordan Addison (rookie)
- K.J. Osborn
- Jalen Nailor
- Brandon Powell
- Jalen Reagor
- Trishton Jackson
- Blake Proehl
- Malik Knowles (rookie)
- Thayer Thomas (rookie)
- Cephus Johnson III (rookie)
Other Vikings UDFA profiles
Georgia Southern CB NaJee Thompson
North Carolina State WR Thayer Thomas
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