Three former Southeastern standouts receive NFL opportunities

HAMMOND, La. – Three key contributors to the Southeastern Louisiana University football team’s Southland Conference championship will get the opportunity to continue their playing careers at the professional level.

Former Lion quarterback Cephus Johnson III signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings, while 2022 SLU running back Carlos Washington Jr. inked as a UFA with the Atlanta Falcons.

Washington Jr. will have company in Atlanta, as two-time FCS All-American defensive back and former Lion Ferlando Jordan received a rookie minicamp invitation from the Falcons.

The signings of Johnson III and Washington Jr. marked the second straight season that Southeastern had multiple UFA signings. Former SLU quarterback Cole Kelley (Washington Commanders) and tight end Nolan Givan (Detroit Lions) signed in 2022. Kelley made his first start under center in the USFL for the Memphis Showboats Saturday.

Johnson III was signed by the Vikings as a wide receiver, which he predominantly played in 2021 for SLU. As a senior in 2022, Johnson threw for 10 touchdowns and ran for five scores to help the Lions to their third NCAA FCS playoff appearance in the past four years. The versatile Mobile, Alabama native caught a pair of touchdowns and ran for four touchdowns in 2021.

Washington Jr. was dominant in his lone season in Hammond, rushing for 715 yards and 15 touchdowns. The single-season touchdown total for the All-Southland Conference performer from Clinton, Maryland was the second-highest in program history.

Jordan, a native of Atlanta, is one of 12 two-time All-Americans in program history. A three-time first team All-Southland Conference selection, Jordan is the league’s career record holder with five interceptions returned for touchdowns and ranked fourth in school history with 11 career interceptions. In February, he was drafted in the fourth round of the USFL College Draft by the Pittsburgh Maulers.

Johnson III, Washington Jr. and Jordan’s former team will open the 2023 season on the road, as Southeastern travels to Mississippi State for a Sept. 2 contest.

TICKETS
For ticket information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net. Southeastern will continue offering mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets for the 2022-23 season. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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