Cameron Johnston didn't hear his name called in the 2017 NFL Draft but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a chance to become a professional football player.
Johnston is set to take that shot in the City of Brotherly Love, as he signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday. The Ohio State punter confirmed the news with Eleven Warriors.
Excited for the opportunity to sign with the @Eagles! Looking forward to getting to Philadelphia to compete and learn! #FlyEaglesFly
— Cameron Johnston (@Cam_Johnston) April 29, 2017
Johnston becomes the first Buckeye punter to earn an NFL contract since A.J. Trapasso in 2009. Trapasso signed as a free agent with the Tennessee Titans in 2009 and spent time with four NFL teams over two years before hanging it up. The most recent Ohio State punter drafted was B.J. Sander, who Green Bay selected in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft.
A 2016 Ray Guy Award Finalist as the nation's top punter, Johnston booted 56 kicks at 46.7 yards per punt. He served as Ohio State's punter and holder the last four seasons, bringing his rugby style with him from Australian and routinely pinning opponents inside their own 20-yard line.
The 2016 Eddleman-Fields Big Ten Punter of the Year led the conference in punting average two out of his four seasons at Ohio State, though he would have in 2014 but did not have enough kicks to qualify.
