GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Charles Johnson has no idea what will happen in the NFL draft, but the former Grand Valley State receiver does have high hopes.

And his expectations have grown during the past month.

Johnson, whose guarantee of a sub-4.4 time in the 40 at his pro day March 12 turned heads when he ran a 4.35, predicts he could go as high as the third round.

“It’s looking like third round, or a middle rounder,” he said. “There seem to be a lot of teams interested, so we have a feeling someone is going to pick me in the third round.”

That would have him celebrating at home with friends and family in Elsmere, KY, on Friday.

The draft begins with the first round at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 25. The second and third rounds are 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 26, with rounds 4-7 at noon Saturday, April 27.

Last month, Johnson was seen as a late-round pick or free agent following two impressive seasons at Grand Valley. He caught 72 passes for 1,199 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, while, as a junior, he had 56 receptions for 1,030 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Good numbers, but nothing off the charts for an NCAA Division II player. But Johnson impressed at his pro day. He ran a 4.35 and 4.38 in the 40, and also jumped 39 1/2 inches in the vertical leap, 11-foot-1 in the broad jump and had 14 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. He also checked in, officially, at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds.

Where could he land?

Johnson has no idea after a month of travel. He visited teams in Dallas, New Orleans, Green Bay, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Arizona, Cincinnati and New York (Jets). He worked out for the Patriots (March 19), Colts (April 5) and Browns (April 12).

“I got asked that all the time by my agent after each visit,” said Johnson, who is represented by Doug Domann from Domann and Pittman. “I always say the last team I visited because I really have no clue.

“I would like to think they all like me since they showed an interest and worked me out and brought me in, but, you never know. It’s a business, so it’s just who likes me the most and who needs me the most. I’ll just wait and see.”

For the record, the last team he visited was the New York Jets on April 17.

Johnson said if he was bypassed and not drafted, he would channel disappointment into determination.

“I thought there were a lot of things I should have had,” he said, which included an invitation to the NFL combine and college all-star games. “It would be just a bigger thing to motivate me, and put a bigger chip on my shoulder. If I get picked in the seventh round, or I’m a free agent, I’ll still get an opportunity to compete and take somebody’s position.”

Johnson looks to become the latest Grand Valley State alum to make it to the NFL. Last year, the Lakers were represented in the league by offensive tackle Cameron Bradfield with Jacksonville (FA, 2011), center Nick McDonald with New England (FA, 2010), linebacker Dan Skuta with Cincinnati (FA, 2009) and cornerback Brandon Carr with Dallas (5th round, Kansas City, 2005). Skuta signed with San Francisco in the off-season.

http://www.mlive.com/lakers/index.ssf/2013/04/nfl_draft_charles_johnson_from.html 

“Built a lot like Julio Jones and Dez Bryant.”

"Johnson, who notched 31 touchdown passes at Grand Valley State over the past two seasons, is a very good athlete, having posted a 39 1/2-inch vertical jump and 11-1 broad jump at his pro day (along with 4.38 and 4.39 40s), and he has excellent hands. You could say, "Well, he didn't face great competition," given that he played at a Division II school, but it's worth remembering that Pierre Garcon, now a standout receiver for the Washington Redskins, went to Division III Mount Union. Three teams (the Colts, Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots) were in to watch him work out, and he had several visits set. He did have to transfer from Eastern Kentucky, but he is not a character problem."