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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Wicker and Johnson Sign NFL Contracts
6/5/2007 | Football
OXFORD, Miss. -- Former Ole Miss Rebels Andrew Wicker and Rory Johnson are continuing their football careers in the NFL, as the pair recently signed free-agent contracts. Wicker is on the New York Jets' offensive line, while Johnson is with the Green Bay Packers' linebacking corps.
A four-year letterwinner from Zachary, La., Wicker moved from defense to offense after his sophomore season and made 18 starts over his final two years. As a senior, the 6-foot-5, 295-pounder started all 12 games and took snaps at all five positions on the Rebel offensive line.
In his one season in the Red and Blue, Johnson ranked sixth in the SEC in total tackles with 93 and tied for eighth in forced fumbles with three. A Vicksburg, Miss., native and transfer from Hinds Community College, the 6-foot-1, 295-pound Johnson earned seven starts and recorded 10 or more total tackles in six games.
Wicker and Johnson were among four Rebels to participate in their respective NFL club's Rookie Minicamp, along with draftees Patrick Willis with the San Francisco 49ers and Trumaine McBride with the Chicago Bears.
Following Ole Miss graduation, Willis, the 11th overall pick in the draft, was able to join his rookie class on May 16 for the Niners' offseason conditioning program.
By NFL rules, rookies could report to camp on May 22, but only if they had either graduated or their senior class had graduated. While players often elect to defer graduation until later in their careers and were not in class this past semester to prepare for their rookie season, the NFL still restricts them from working out until the spring term comes to an end.
"I graduated ... and I was able to come back and not have to miss out on any more of this program," Willis told the 49ers' website. "It's very important because we are starting new and you want to get in and learn as much as you can. The quicker you can get in and get used to your new environment, the better you'll be."
A four-year letterwinner from Zachary, La., Wicker moved from defense to offense after his sophomore season and made 18 starts over his final two years. As a senior, the 6-foot-5, 295-pounder started all 12 games and took snaps at all five positions on the Rebel offensive line.
In his one season in the Red and Blue, Johnson ranked sixth in the SEC in total tackles with 93 and tied for eighth in forced fumbles with three. A Vicksburg, Miss., native and transfer from Hinds Community College, the 6-foot-1, 295-pound Johnson earned seven starts and recorded 10 or more total tackles in six games.
Wicker and Johnson were among four Rebels to participate in their respective NFL club's Rookie Minicamp, along with draftees Patrick Willis with the San Francisco 49ers and Trumaine McBride with the Chicago Bears.
Following Ole Miss graduation, Willis, the 11th overall pick in the draft, was able to join his rookie class on May 16 for the Niners' offseason conditioning program.
By NFL rules, rookies could report to camp on May 22, but only if they had either graduated or their senior class had graduated. While players often elect to defer graduation until later in their careers and were not in class this past semester to prepare for their rookie season, the NFL still restricts them from working out until the spring term comes to an end.
"I graduated ... and I was able to come back and not have to miss out on any more of this program," Willis told the 49ers' website. "It's very important because we are starting new and you want to get in and learn as much as you can. The quicker you can get in and get used to your new environment, the better you'll be."
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