Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers have invited Arkansas safety Jayden Johnson to rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, the Razorbacks announced on Tuesday.
Johnson spent four years at Arkansas and was a three-year starter at strong safety. Johnson played in 11 games as a true freshman in 2021, recording 24 tackles, two for a loss. The following season, he started seven of 12 games, and racked up 35 tackles, three for a loss, plus one and a half sacks and forced fumble.
From there, Johnson started every game in 2023, and all but two in 2024. As a junior, he set a career high with 62 tackles and added two tackles for loss, a forced fumble, three passes defended and an interception. This past season, Johnson finished with 57 tackles, four for a loss, one sack, one interception, one forced fumble and five passes defended.
The 6-foot-1 3/4, 203-pound Johnson only put up 12 reps on the bench press at the Arkansas pro day, but he’s developed a reputation as a hard hitter.
Jayden Johnson flagged for a late hit and targeting here. Ruling of targeting confirmed and Johnson is ejected. pic.twitter.com/PFVqnv44uq
— Mason Choate (@ChoateMason) November 11, 2023
The rest of Johnson’s pro day numbers came in above average, with a 4.68-second 40-yard dash and a 1.57-second 10-yard split, 4.46-second short shuttle, 7.18-second three-cone drill, 34-inch vertical and 10-foot-4 broad jump for an overall 6.03 Relative Athletic Score out of 10.
The Steelers will invite a number of players to tryouts for their three-day rookie minicamp, which will be held the second weekend of May at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Over the last few seasons, the Steelers have typically signed one or two players to contracts from rookie camp invitees. Among the team’s rookie camp tryout successes have been quarterback Devlin Hodges in 2019. Last year, vets Anthony Averett and Jonathan Ward made the team after trying out at rookie camp.
Johnson is the 10th player to be revealed as a tryout, joining Pitt outside linebacker Nate Matlack, Rhode Island RB/WR Tommy Smith, William & Mary (Penn Hills) QB/WR Hollis Mathis, New Hampshire (Mt. Lebanon) quarterback Seth Morgan, Central Michigan (Thomas Jefferson) center Dom Serapiglia, Slippery Rock defensive back Eddie Faulkner IV, James Madison wide receiver Omarion Dollison, Notre Dame special teamer Max Hurleman and South Carolina linebacker Debo Williams.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Add Hard-Hitting Safety to Rookie Camp Roster
