JONESBORO (4/26/08) - Former Arkansas State standout safety Tyrell Johnson (Rison, Ark.) was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 12th pick in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft today.

The Vikings made Johnson the 43rd overall pick and the second safety taken in the draft.  Johnson became the third highest NFL draft pick ever among all Arkansas State players and the highest ASU selection since quarterback Gene Bradley was taken by the Buffalo Bills with the 37th overall pick of the 1980 draft.  Linebacker Bill Bergey was the No. 31 pick in the 1969 NFL draft, making him the highest selection ever for an ASU player.

Johnson also joined former ASU players Ken Jones (No. 45, 1976 draft) and Stan Winfrey (No. 49, 1975 draft) as second round selections.

Johnson became the 40th ASU player to ever be selected in the NFL draft and joined former fullback Oren O'Neal as the second ASU player drafted over the last two years.  Over 90 all-time Arkansas State players have signed pro contracts with an NFL franchise.

Johnson was a four-year starter at ASU, finishing his career as the Sun Belt Conference's all-time tackles leader with 363 to his credit.  He is also the Sun Belt's all-time leader in interception return yards with 309 and his 13 career interceptions is the fourth most in league history.

Johnson, the 2007 Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year, was a four-time all-conference pick and a three-time Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week selection.  He was on the 2007 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List and a member of Street & Smith's Preseason All-America Team as both a junior and senior.