NEW YORK, N.Y. – Tarleton defensive end Rufus Johnson was selected in the NFL Draft today by the New Orleans Saints as the 15th pick in the sixth round. He was the 183rd overall pick in the draft.
 
Johnson becomes just the second player in school history to be selected in the NFL Draft, following in the footsteps of James Dearth who was drafted 191st overall in the 1999 draft. Dearth was taken with the 22nd selection of the sixth round by the Cleveland Browns.
 
“All I could think about was my family when I received the call from the Saints organization,” said Johnson. “This is what I have been playing for and training for my whole life. This is truly a blessing and I am proud to be a Saint.”

Johnson was the fourth NCAA Division II player selected in the draft behind Brandon Williams (32nd Pick, 3rd Round, Missouri Southern State), Edmund Kugbila (11th Pick, 4th Round, Valdosta State) and Eric Kush (2nd Pick, 6th Round, California, PA). Ten Division II players were picked overall in the entire NFL Draft.
 
Johnson, a First Team All-Lone Star Conference selection and the LSC's Defensive Lineman of the Year this past year, will report to the Saints Rookie Camp on May 9^th.