Former Mpls N, Gophers star Tyler Johnson set to face hometown Vikings as NFL rookie

Tyler Johnson led Minneapolis North to their first Prep Bowl appearance, then helped Gopher Football to a record-setting season that culminated in an Outback Bowl win over Auburn. Now, as an NFL rookie with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in the exact same stadium he and the Gophers beat Auburn in, he’ll now face his hometown Vikings on Sunday.

Click the video box on this page to see a pair of stories based on a chat KSTP Sports’ Chris Long recently had with Tyler Johnson about his rookie season in the NFL, and about his memories of a taking his Minneapolis North Polars to the Prep Bowl

Johnson left the University of Minnesota with several program records and was the MVP of their Outback Bowl win over Auburn.

He has two touchdowns in this, his first season as a pro.

Johnson and his Buccaneers host the Vikings on Sunday in a game that has a major impact on both teams’ spot in the NFC playoff picture.