INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- After a successful season at Oklahoma State, former George Fox football player Leon Johnson III has agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Chargers following the 2024 NFL draft. 

Johnson III, who played wide receiver for the Fox football program for three seasons from 2019-22, will look to become the first Bruin football player to make a gameday roster or appear in an NFL regular season game — former Vikings and Packers placekicker Aaron Elling attended George Fox to play soccer, and went on to appear in 33 games in the NFL.

"This is an opportunity that I never thought was a possibility in my life," Johnson III said, "Without the great people in my life that have pushed me to this point I wouldn't be here. I just want to say thank you to the whole Bothell High School Coaching staff, George Fox University Football and Baseball coaching staff, and Oklahoma State coaches. Without those coaches and people in my life, there is no chance I'd be where I am, so thank you, everyone!"

A dual-sport athlete in both football and baseball, Johnson III broke onto the football scene as a senior in 2022; that year, Johnson III shattered the record books, setting program marks for most all-purpose yards (1,205), most receiving yards (1,154), most receiving yards in a game (174), most receiving touchdowns (14), most receiving touchdowns in a game (3), most receptions (55), and most receptions in a game (11).

The standout season helped the Bruins finish with a program-best eight wins on the year — and picked up interest from several Division I schools. Ultimately, Johnson III signed at Oklahoma State, where he worked his way into a key receiving role for the Cowboys.

Battling injuries and potential redshirt rules to begin the season, the fifth-year senior worked his way up the rotation, pulling in 33 catches for 539 yards and one score —all in the final seven games of the year — for a Cowboy team that made the Big 12 Championship game. Now, he looks to make more history.

Johnson is believed to be the fourth George Fox athlete to sign with a team alongside Elling, Robert Hadlock, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 12th round of the 1969 NFL/AFL Draft, and Rnady Casey, who appeared in three preseason games in the 1960s.