SALT LAKE CITY — Former Utah defensive backs Terrell Burgess and Jaylon Johnson are currently in the midst of preparations for the 2020 NFL Draft, and, by all accounts, are expected to be both high draft picks and immediate contributors.
They have a little bit of business to conclude with collegiate athletics prior to that, however.
Burgess and Johnson, as well as former Utah placekicker Andrew Strauch, were honored by the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society, it was announced Wednesday, in recognition of their athletic prowess and academic achievements.
Since 2007, the foundation has honored thousands of athletes nationwide who have completed their final year of playing eligibility (players, who have remaining eligibility but will not return to collegiate play may also be nominated); achieved a 3.2 cumulative grade point average throughout entire course of undergraduate study and met all NCAA or NAIA-mandated progress toward degree requirements; and been starters or significant contributors.
“We are pleased to see another record number of athletes honored by the Hampshire Honor Society this year,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell in a release. “Over the past decade, it has become a powerful vehicle for schools to recognize their college football players who have distinguished themselves both academically and athletically, and we congratulate the schools and each of these young men for their commitment to excellence in all aspects of their lives.”
Burgess graduated with a kinesiology degree in December and earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors, while starting all 14 games at strong safety. He led the Utes’ defensive backfield with 81 tackles, which included 7.5 tackles for loss and a half sack.
Johnson also earned his degree in December, in business. He earned second-team All-America honors from Walter Camp and the Associated Press and was a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 cornerback during his three-year career at Utah. Johnson ranked third in the Pac-12 and led the Utes’ with 11 pass breakups.
Strauch kicked off in all 14 games this season for Utah. He earned a degree in political science from UCLA prior to his transfer to Utah and is working toward a master’s in real estate at the U. He had 41 touchbacks in 85 kickoffs this season and also went 1 of 2 on field goals tries, with his lone make coming against BYU.