Former Cal Poly wide receiver Dominique Johnson’s childhood dream became a reality today, as the Mustangs’ perennial outside threat a year ago signed a three-year undrafted free-agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings.
“At 5:30 in the morning my agent called me,” Johnson said. “He asked if I wanted to be a Viking. Of course, I said yes.”
Johnson caught a team-high 47 receptions — more than double the next closest receiver — for 634 yards and four touchdowns. In his career, he racked up 90 catches for 1,375 yards and 10 touchdowns.
And after his two-season stint with the Mustangs, Johnson said he is happy to play for the Vikings.
“We had already looked at some of the situations around the league and where I would fit in,” Johnson said. “And Minnesota was at the top of my list.”
The pieces seem to fit for Johnson in Minnesota. He might have a good chance to make the roster now that the Vikings’ standout wide receiver Sindey Rice may be headed out of town. The team is also expected to bring in six-time Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb, after parting ways with Tavaris Jackson.
But regardless of now playing on the same field with players he used to watch on television, Johnson said he isn’t going to let the bright lights of Sunday distract him. He’s waited his entire life to get a shot at playing in the NFL, and now that it’s here, he is not going to let it go to waste.
“I stay pretty grounded,” Johnson said. “I’ve waited for my entire life, and now it is finally here. I have to take full advantage of this opportunity.”