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Three Virginia football players found a home in the National Football League on Saturday. Following the third and final day of the 2023 NFL Draft, which saw UVA wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks selected by the Green Bay Packers with the No. 159 overall pick in the 5th round, two more Cavaliers were immediately signed by NFL teams as undrafted free agents. UVA wide receiver Keytaon Thompson signed with the Detroit Lions and defensive back Anthony Johnson signed with the New Orleans Saints.
Thompson's collegiate career began as a quarterback at Mississippi State, where he once outdueled Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson in a bowl game. After three seasons in Starkville, Thompson transferred to Virginia in 2020, where he famously fulfilled the ambiguous role of "Football Player" before eventually transitioning completely to a wide receiver and a very productive one at that. In 2021, Thompson led a stacked UVA receiving corps in receptions with 78 and tallied 990 receiving yards as well as 247 rushing yards and five total touchdowns. Thompson was a Second-Team All-ACC selection in 2021 and a Third-Team All-ACC selection in 2022, concluding his career with 49 total games played, including 24 starts across six combined seasons at Mississippi State at Virginia. Now, Thompson will look to carve out a role for himself with the Detroit Lions, who should quickly and easily be able to find productive and valuable ways to utilize this versatile football player.
Anthony Johnson played his first three seasons at Louisville before transferring to Virginia, where he had an impactful and memorable couple of years. Immediately becoming a vocal leader in the locker room, Johnson had a very strong argument as the biggest personality on the UVA roster. Johnson had a solid season in 2021, but delivered the best year of his career by far in 2022, becoming the first Cavalier defender to earn First-Team All-ACC honors since 2018. Along with teammate Fentrell Cypress II (Second-Team All-ACC), they became the first cornerback duo to be selected All-ACC in the same season in Virginia football history. Johnson's 1.4 passes defended per game ranked 8th in all of college football and 2nd in the ACC, trailing only Cypress II. With 51 total tackles, 14 passes defended, and two interceptions, Johnson used word and example to lead a Virginia defense that ranked third in the ACC in passing defense in 2022. Now, Johnson brings his elite coverage abilities and leadership traits to the professional level, where he will provide immediate value for the New Orleans Saints.
That Johnson ended up in New Orleans likely had a lot to do with a connection he made with Saints senior defensive assistant Pete Giunta, who guided Johnson through the defensive back position drills and film study at the UVA Football Pro Day back in March. That day, Giunta told Johnson that if he caught all the passes during the drills, there would be a special reward.
"He was big on making sure I was fluid in catching the football, so we're going to Ben & Jerry's since I caught all the passes - his treat," Johnson said of his deal with Giunta. "He told me if I caught all the balls, we'd go to Ben & Jerry's. So, looking forward to that."
It started with Ben & Jerry's in Charlottesville and now Anthony Johnson will be coached directly by Giunta as he begins his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints.
More must-reads:
- Deion Sanders enters social media fray after criticism from former player
- New Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer recalls time at Washington
- The 'AP First-Team All-Pro tight ends' quiz
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