Penn State's Theo Johnson on Meeting Andy Reid and a Google Interview Question

The Nittany Lions tight end sheds some light on the quirky interview process leading to the NFL Draft.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. | A few weeks after the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl, Penn State tight end Theo Johnson was shaking hands with head coach Andy Reid. And shooting hoops before meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles staff. And answering questions that show up in interviews at Google.

"Nothing can really prepare you for that, so you've got to just trust your training, trust your personality and know that being you is enough," Johnson said.

Back in the comfortable surroundings of Penn State's Holuba Hall, Johnson reflected on 10 whirlwind weeks since the end of his college career. Johnson was in town for Penn State's annual Pro Day with a dozen former teammates auditioning once more for NFL scouts. Johnson has aced these workouts at the Senior Bowl and the recent NFL Scouting Combine, where he compiled the second-highest Relative Athletic Score (RAS) among tight ends in combine history.

For Johnson, Friday was about route-running. Since he caught 34 passes last season, Johnson sought to demonstrate his light feet at 6-6, 260 pounds.

"I feel like I capitalized on the process," Johnson said after his workout. "I'm in a good spot right now. ... People said I don't move well for my size, so I want to show everybody that I'm fluid in my routes and I move around a lot different than a typical 6-6, 260-pound man."

Johnson also shed some light on the NFL interview process, which long has been known for its quirks. Upon entering his interview with the Eagles, for instance, Johnson noticed a mini-hoop and took a few shots to "break the ice." Kansas City was different.

"[With] the Chiefs, it was a little more formal, a little more serious," Johnson said. "Like everyone was a little quiet. That one you've got to make sure you're on all your stuff. It's not as lighthearted, if you will."

At the combine, Johnson also fielded a variation of a question that shows up in Google job interviews: How many basketballs can fit in a school bus? "It was a long calculation," Johnson said, adding that the point is to "see how you think and process information." (Linebacker Curtis Jacobs said he got the same question.)

Johnson plans to work out in State College for a few weeks before the NFL Draft and make some targeted team visits. He said he'll meet with the Seattle Seahawks, and the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens plan to schedule visits as well. While at Penn State, he'll spend time with the team and his former teammates. 

Johnson offered quite the scouting report on one: fellow tight end Tyler Warren. After spending the past few seasons in a rotation with himself and Brenton Strange, Warren is ready for his breakout season, Johnson said.

"I’ve told every single person who's asked that he's going to be the first tight end off the board next year," Johnson said. "I think he has a chance to be an All-American and Mackey Award-winner. He's a very special player. Since he's been here, he hasn't gotten the credit he deserves. I think next year with [offensive coordinator And Kotelnicki] he's going to really take off."

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