You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Fortunately for C.J. Johnson, he’s worked hard over the years to make that impression.

Johnson was a star defensive end at East Texas Baptist, a Division III school located in Marshall, Texas. However, the Division III-to-NFL path is a road seldom traveled. Some have made the journey — Wisconsin-LaCrosse’s Bill Schroeder did it for the Packers after being a sixth-round pick at wide receiver in 1994. Quarterback Joe Callahan spent parts of the 2016 and 2017 seasons on Green Bay’s roster. Receiver Jake Kumerow, who was signed to the practice squad at the end of last season, played at Wisconsin-Whitewater.

C.J. Johnson

Others who have been drafted in recent years include Mount Union receivers Pierre Garcon by Indianapolis in 2008 and Cecil Shorts by Jacksonville in 2011, and Hobart offensive lineman Ali Marpet by Tampa Bay in the second round in 2016. London Fletcher, who retired following the 2013 season with a linebackers-record 215 consecutive starts, is probably the best Division III player in NFL history.

With 10.5 sacks as a senior, Johnson managed to get into North Texas’ pro day on March 30. Chances are, most of the scouts in attendance didn’t have a clue who he was.

“Before? Not so many before pro day,” Johnson said.

But Johnson, with muscles on top of muscles as a former competitive weightlifter, knows how to make an impression. With the scouts’ attention, he put together an impressive workout with a 4.75 in the 40, 38-inch vertical and 22 reps on the 225-pound bench press.

C.J. Johnson (Courtesy East Texas Baptist)

One of the scouts who was impressed was Green Bay’s Charles Walls.

“He was preaching to me, just keep working hard. If I do get my opportunity, be a beast,” Johnson recalled at the Packers’ rookie camp. “Stay focused. Take care of my body, most importantly, and be prepared mentally.”

Johnson signed with the Packers after the camp, fetching a $5,000 signing bonus. At 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, he’ll compete for a roster spot as an undersized pass rusher.

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“It’s a blessing, man. Still speechless,” Johnson said. “It still hasn’t really sunk in yet. I’m not sure when it will but I’m going to stay locked in and work as hard as I can, ask questions and pay attention to the details.”

Johnson’s unlikely path to the NFL began at Tarleton State, a Division II program located in Stephenville, Texas. Johnson redshirted as a freshman in 2013 and didn’t play in 2014.

“The first semester of ’14, I was at Tarleton in the process of leaving. The next semester, I wanted to come and help my mom out,” Johnson said. “I scheduled myself for classes at (Tarrant County College in his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas), a little community college, just so I didn’t fall too far behind in the classroom. I stayed working out like I was part of the football team until I found somewhere else. I ended up at ETBU with a friend of mine from high school.”

As a freshman in 2015, Johnson was first-team all-conference with 6.5 sacks and 13 tackles for losses. As a sophomore in 2016, Johnson had two sacks and 5.5 tackles for losses. As a junior in 2017, Johnson put up big numbers with 10.5 sacks and 13 tackles for losses.

And with that, Johnson gave up his final year of eligibility to turn pro. If that sounds crazy, it wasn’t. The 24-year-old Johnson already had his degree, and another season of Division III ball wouldn’t have done a thing to impress scouts.

“That would have been me staying to get my master’s degree,” Johnson said. “We don’t have scholarships at my D-III school, and I didn’t want to put that kind of (financial) pressure on my mom.”

Johnson, obviously, is a long shot to make the team. His stats were good but not great. His workout was good but not great. But the Packers need pass-rushing help and, as was demonstrated with Callahan, it doesn’t matter where a prospect played. It’s how he plays once he’s in Green Bay.

Johnson’s road to the NFL continues on Monday with the start of organized team activities.

“I’m speechless. I’m just blessed. I can’t even put it into words,” he said. “I’ve been waiting on this opportunity and I got it, and now I’m just trying to make the best out of it every day and go hard as I can go, focus on the details, learn from the older players when they get here, ask questions and stay locked in.”