New York Giants: Top 10 Second Round Draft Picks of All-Time
By Neal Lynch
9. Pepper Johnson – LB, OSU Buckeyes (1986, #51)
Games: 106
Approximate Value: 54
Average Approximate Value Per Season: 8
From Pepper’s Wikipedia page:
"“Johnson played college football for the Ohio State University Buckeyes under head coach Earle Bruce. Johnson lettered every year from 1982 to 1985, and led the team in tackles in 1984 and 1985. He was a team co-captain and named defensive MVP by his teammates in 1984 and 1985, and in 1985 was named as an All-American. Johnson ended his college career with 379 total tackles, 5 sacks, and 12 tackles for loss. He was inducted into the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame in 2001.”"
What a round for the G-Men! Three picks, three solid choices in Collins, Howard, and Johnson. Wow. Pepper was the best of the three, playing 106 games over seven seasons with Big Blue. In that time, he had 10 interceptions, nine forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, 19 sacks, and more than 570 solo tackles.
Pepper’s honors include…
1990 1st Team All-Conf. Pro Football Weekly, 1st Team All-Conf. UPI, 1st Team All-NFL Associated Press, 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Writers, 1st Team All-NFL Newspaper Ent. Assoc., 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Weekly, 1st Team All-NFL Sporting News
He also made the Pro Bowl that season. His approximate value of 19 is astounding, by far the highest on the team for the season and among the highest in franchise history.
Next: THE TROJAN STRIPPER