Oregon safety Tysheem Johnson announces decision to return to Ducks for 2024 season

Oregon safety Tysheem Johnson has announced his decision to return to the Ducks for the 2024 season. He was a junior on the 2023 team, his first in Eugene after transferring over from Ole Miss.

Johnson was a standout starter on the Duck defense and came on to finish second on the team in tackles in just his first season with the program. He recorded 68 takedowns, including four tackles for loss, while also picking off two passes and batting away six others.

Before his westward trek, the 5-foot-10 safety recorded 78 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 2 passes defended in 2022 for the Rebels. Johnson also earned freshman All-SEC honors during his 2021 season after racking up 47 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and one interception.

Tysheem Johnson played high school football at Philadelphia’s Neumann Goretti, where he was a four-star recruit in the 2021 recruiting class, per the On3 Industry Rankings. He was also rated the No. 234 overall prospect and the No. 10 player from Pennsylvania for his cycle.

Here was his announcement, via James Crepea of The Oregonian:

Oregon safety Tysheem Johnson said he’s coming back in 2024

— James Crepea (@JamesCrepea) December 28, 2023

Johnson’s return is tremendous news for the future of the Oregon defense, which was stellar in 2023 and has one of its safety nets back for one more ride.

More on the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.

Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.

The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.

Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.

The deadline to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft is on January 15. NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players in the class on January 19.