SDSU undrafted free agent signing recap
Credit: Go Aztecs
In addition to Darren Hall, who was selected by the Falcons in the 4th round on Saturday, fellow SDSU secondary mates Tariq Thompson and Dwayne Johnson, Jr. were also hoping to be selected in this year’s NFL Draft.
Unfortunately, neither of them was selected.
However, both men were scooped up quickly in the post-draft free agent frenzy.
Thompson signed with the Buffalo Bills, while Johnson Jr. signed with the Atlanta Falcons, reuniting with Hall.
Round 2 https://t.co/8jrlpRpTsp
— Dwayne Johnson Jr (@__DwayneJohnson) May 2, 2021
Although Thompson was named a 1st team all-Mountain West performer, the biggest concern by draft evaluators was his lack of athleticism at the NFL level. Compared to Hall’s 8.03 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), Thompson scored at 0.33, affirming scouts’ critiques on him athletically. Johnson Jr.’s RAS of 3.18 was slightly higher than Thompson’s due to his bigger size attributes. Both players should have good opportunities to show their overall skill sets in training camp and make the 53-man rosters for their respective teams, primarily contributing on special teams early on.
Several other members of last year’s Aztecs team who were draft-eligible but not selected also signed as undrafted free agents.
Offensive lineman Jacob Capra signed with the Green Bay Packers, while fellow lineman Kyle Spalding signed with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Long snapper Turner Bernard signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings after two long snappers, Thomas Fletcher (Alabama) and Camaron Cheeseman (Michigan), were drafted in the 6th round, showing the importance of the position.
Congrats @TurnerBernard1 Cemented your name into Aztec legacy along with the other greats #LongSnapperU pic.twitter.com/UpMRVXsBRP
— Doug Deakin (@Coach_Deak) May 2, 2021
A total of 13 Mountain West players were signed as undrafted free agents, five of which were from SDSU.
As of late Saturday evening, there were no reports of punter Tanner Kuljian signing as an undrafted free agent with any team yet.
Avid sports fan and historian of basketball, baseball, football and soccer. UC San Diego and San Diego State alumni living in America’s Finest City. Diverse team following across multiple sports leagues, but Aztecs come first in college athletics.