Breaking: Bulldogs Are Closing In On Deal To Sign $15.4 Million WR And Return Specialist….

The former Georgia transfer and two-year East Carolina receiver has agreed to a deal with the LA Chargers.

East Carolina wide receiver Jaylen Johnson has agreed to an undrafted free agent contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, according to multiple reports after the conclusion of the NFL Draft on Saturday night. Johnson is one of three Pirates thus far to reportedly agree to a post-draft deal. Safety Julius Wood is signing with the Dallas Cowboys, and Jeremy Lewis is reportedly signing with the New York Jets.

Johnson started his career as a walk-on at the University of Georgia, working his way to a scholarship with the Bulldogs and eventually winning a national championship as a backup receiver and special teams player. He hit the portal after the 2021 campaign and landed at ECU, spending two years with the Pirates as a starting receiver. During that time, Johnson accumulated 71 catches for 806 receiving yards and six scores. He played in 48 career games during his time at Georgia and ECU, earning four letters (two at ECU, two at Georgia).

The 6-foot-2, 194-pounder participated in Pro Days at both Georgia and East Carolina. He tested so well at Georgia, he ended up just running routes and catching passes with the Pirates at their Pro Day workout in front of scouts. Johnson showed the ability to catch the ball downfield and run crisp routes. That, along with running a 40-yard dash in the 4.4s previously, boosted his stock. He spent time in the slot and at outside receiver with the Pirates.

During the 2022 season, when ECU’s offense was more explosive in a bowl year, Johnson served as a starting outside receiver. He hauled in 26 catches for 340 yards and two touchdowns, starting six games and playing in 10 total.

As a senior in 2023, Johnson started 11 of 12 games, catching 45 passes for 466 yards with a pair of touchdown grabs. Johnson had a career-best 105-yard receiving output in a loss at UTSA in October.

Jesse Minter leaving Michigan to join Jim Harbaugh as new Los Angeles Chargers DC

Michigan is losing another huge piece of its coaching staff.

Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is joining Jim Harbaugh on the new Los Angeles Chargers staff, per The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb. Minter met with several Wolverine defensive players Saturday morning to tell them of his decision, according to Webb. Minter will hold the same position as defensive coordinator with the Chargers as he makes his return to the NFL where he previously served as a defensive assistant on the Baltimore Ravens staff.

Minter spent the past two years as the defensive coordinator at Michigan were he helped produce a top-10 unit nationally in points allowed, total defense and run defense during both seasons. The Wolverines led the FBS in scoring defense (10.4) and total defense (247.0) en route to a College Football Playoff National Championship during the 2023 campaign. Minter crafted a near-flawless game plan for the title game earlier this month as Michigan players executed with precision, shutting down potent offensive juggernaut Washington. Minter was a finalist nominee for the Broyles Award, given annually to the best assistant coach in college football.

He served as the interim head coach of the Wolverines for the season-opener against East Carolina in place of Harbaugh, who was suspended at the time. Michigan won 30-3.

Minter was suggested as a possible candidate for NFL vacancies — and even as a replacement head coach at Michigan — during the current coaching cycle, but will follow Harbaugh out to the West Coast.

Minter previously signed a contract extension at Michigan in April after the Wolverines ranked fifth nationally in total defense, allowing just 292.1 yards per game during his first season in Ann Arbor. He stamped the end of his second campaign as one of the most-prized assistant coaches in college football.

Prior to joining the Michigan staff in 2022, Minter served as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Vanderbilt for one season in 2021. He spent four years with the Baltimore Ravens as a defensive assistant under coach John Harbaugh, the older brother of Jim Harbaugh.

Minter began his coaching career as a defensive intern at Notre Dame under Charlie Weis in 2006 before joining the Cincinnati Bearcats as a graduate assistant in 2007. Minter got his first job as a position coach at Indiana State where he was in charge of the linebackers from 2009-2010. He was elevated to defensive coordinator in 2011. Minter eventually left to become the defensive coordinator at Georgia State fro 2013-15.