NEW YORK, Ny – Former Hutchinson Blue Dragon 2nd team All-American defensive tackle Toby Johnson has been selected in the Open Phase of the XFL Draft by the New York Guardians.  Johnson spent two seasons post with the Georgia Bulldogs of the SEC, Johnson has spend time as an un-drafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans in 2015.  Released and signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad 2015.  The picked up by Chicago Bears right at the end of the 2015 season.

Johnson the was signed and spent all of 2016 with the Minnesota Vikings on the practice squad, activated for two games in 2016,  Johnson was released mid 2017 and picked up by the Carolina Panthers and spent training camp with the Panthers before being the last defensive tackle released in the final cut down of 2017 training camp.

Johnson spent 2018 with the Detroit Lions before being injured and placed on the injured reserve and ultimately released.

Last Summer (2019) Johnson played indoor Arena football for the Massachusetts Pirates of the NAL.  The Pirates qualified for the playoffs in 2019.

The XFL season begins in February of 2020.  Johnson joins former Salthawk, Jayhawk and NFL draft pick Ben Heeney also drafted by the Guardians.  Garrison Smith, a former Georgia Bulldog and team mate of Johnsons at Georgia was also drafted by the Guardians.

The Guardians will play their home games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NewJersey, home of the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets.

The team is coached by Kevin Gilbride, a longtime offensive coordinator in the NFL (most recently with a ten-season stint with the Giants).

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