Former Georgia Tech safety/linebacker Jalen Johnson has accepted an invitation to the Falcons rookie mini-camp, Johnson confirmed Sunday. He will join former Yellow Jackets defensive lineman Desmond Branch in getting a shot at an NFL contract with the Falcons.
This past season, Johnson performed well as a senior in his first season as a starter for the Jackets. Johnson moved from safety to outside linebacker in former defensive coordinator Nate Woody’s 3-4 defense and finished with 66 tackles, second on the team. His improvement was clear, as he totaled 49 of his 66 tackles in the Jackets’ final seven games. He also was named ACC linebacker of the week after collecting nine tackles, three for loss, against Miami on Nov. 10. Johnson also had the fastest 40-yard dash time at Tech’s pro day, 4.61 seconds.
Going to the rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis, Johnson would have to perform well enough to convince the team to sign him as an undrafted free agent.
Besides Johnson and Branch, former Tech defensive end Anree Saint-Amour has agreed to an undrafted free-agent deal with the Minnesota Vikings and former quarterback TaQuon Marshall will go the Baltimore Ravens rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis.