It was just eight snaps, but for Jakob Johnson they represented the fulfillment of a life-long dream of playing in the NFL. It certainly was not an easy road to get there. After spending his college days at the University of Tennessee, Johnson neither heard his name called during the 2018 NFL draft nor the subsequent free agency period. He therefore returned to his native Germany to spend the season with the GFL’s Stuttgart Scorpions.
Filling the fullback/tight end hybrid role he also played during his four seasons at Tennessee, Johnson established himself as a reliable piece in his new team’s offensive attack — one that did it all: he served as a ball carrier and receiver, and also saw regular action on special teams.