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Two former SWAC players make NFL practice squads
A pair of former SWAC football players have made the practice squads of their respective NFL teams.
Jackson State wide receiver Jaymar Johnson has been named to the practice squad of the Minnesota Vikings, while Grambling State defensive end Jason Banks has made the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad. Johnson, 6-0, 176, was a sixth-round pick of the Vikings in the 2008 NFL Draft. The former J-State standout caught 36 passes for 613 yards (17.0 avg.) and seven touchdowns in 2007 in helping the Tigers win the SWAC Championship. The Gary, IN native was also a threat in the return game, averaging 9.6 yards per punt return with one touchdown, and 16.9 yards per kickoff return. Banks, 6-5, 300, was undrafted out of Grambling State. He started 29 of 44 games with the Tigers, making 122 tackles (27 for loss) 8.5 sacks, four passes defensed, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick. As a senior, Banks started nine games, making 23 tackles (five for loss), four quarterback hurries, and two passes defensed. Banks, a Baton Rouge, La. native, majored in criminal justice. Each NFL team can have up a maximum of eight players on the practice squad. They attend meetings and practice with the team, but are not eligible to play as members of the practice squad. However, they are immediately eligible to be put on the active 53-man roster of any NFL team at any time. During practice, practice squad players will often run the offensive or defensive plays of the upcoming opponent to assist with preparation for the upcoming game. NFL teams usually add players to the practice squad who they think have good potential to play in the league but may not have a spot readily available and/or want to continue with the development of the player. |
  
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