The NFL Draft is where college football players’ dreams come to life — at least for a particular class of athletes.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The NCAA Division I FBS dominates the NFL Draft annually, consuming most of the picks by pro teams. In 2024, out of the 257 draftees, 12 came from non-FBS programs.
2024 NFL draft breakdown
In total there were…
19 Group of 5 players picked
11 FCS players
3 International Players
1 DII Player
0 HBCU players2023 for comparison
36 G5 picks
10 FCS picks
1 HBCU picks
2 DII picks
0 Intl. picks#transferportal #businessdecisions— Stan Becton (@stan_becton) April 27, 2024
To be drafted as one of the few small school athletes means you must have something special about your game. For one of the top Division I FCS hopefuls this year, special runs through his blood.
Austin Peay corner back Jesse Johnson III was lockdown for the Governors this year, snatching four interceptions to go along with 43 tackles and a fumble recovery. X account NFL Rookie Watch compared his game to Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.
Jesse Johnson III out of Austin Peay has picked up LEGIT NFL interest in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Johnson is the nephew of former NFL superstar, Antonio Cromartie.
Standing at 6’1”, 180 lbs, Johnson’s game is modeled after Derek Stingley Jr. and AJ Terrell.
In 2024, Johnson… pic.twitter.com/kHqBkfRfn0
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) January 21, 2025
Johnson has the defensive back DNA. He is related to former Cardinals Pro Bowlers Antonio Cromartie and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
Cromartie is Johnson’s uncle. The 11-year veteran played his last significant year in the NFL in his lone season in Arizona, posting 48 tackles, three interceptions, 10 pass deflections and hopping on one fumble in 2014. He retired from the NFL in 2018.
Rodger-Cromartie branches somewhere off their family tree as a cousin. He spent three seasons with Arizona, being drafted by the Cardinals as the their first pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. The defensive back played some solid opening seasons to his career in Arizona, being named to the NFL All-Rookie team his freshman campaign and following up with Pro Bowl nod the following year. He stole 13 interceptions away in his three seasons as a Cardinal, running four back for touchdowns before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of the 2011 season.
Some things you can’t be taught — you just gotta have it in you. By the looks of their family history, Johnson could have whatever “it” is.
Rodgers-Cromartie was the 16th overall pick in 2008. The Cardinals have the 16th choice in the draft this year.
Johnson is definitely nowhere near in consideration to be a top selection for the Cardinals, but it could be a sign to get their bloodline back in Arizona at some point this offseason.
Cardinals strengthen defensive front-7 in latest mock drafts
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Reporter Jordyn Bennett covers the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona State, Phoenix area sports and sports related topics. You can follow him on his X account, @j_bennett_live
