NASHVILLE – NFL scouts discovered Chris Johnson as a speedster coming out of East Carolina.
Now, the former Titans running back is interested in finding future NFL stars himself.
Johnson is one of 20 NFL Legends that expressed interest in a career in scouting. He's been invited to NFL Scout School at the Senior Bowl to expand his knowledge and determine just what his overall interest might be.
Johnson said he's been looking for ways to stay involved in the game since he retired.
At Scout School, Johnson will learn the fundamentals of scouting from current scouts and coaches.
"Ever since I retired, I go to high school games a lot of times, just checking out the talent," Johnson said on Thursday. "I've been watching film my whole life. I feel like I know how to spot talent, and I know certain things to look at, whether (a player) fits this system or that system. … I enjoy watching film and I enjoy scouting."
A first-round draft pick by the Titans in the 2008 NFL Draft, Johnson played 10 NFL seasons, including from 2008-2013 with the Titans. Johnson rushed for 9,651 yards and 55 touchdowns, while adding another 2,255 yards and nine receiving touchdowns.
To support former NFL players, the Reese's Senior Bowl announced its annual Senior Bowl Scout School program, which could assist them when they transition away from the playing field. From June 3-5, 2024, NFL alums with at least two years of accredited service have been invited to explore scouting as a potential career path.
The course will be led by Senior Bowl Executive Director and 18-year NFL scouting veteran Jim Nagy and Dan Hatman, Director of Scouting Development at The Scouting Academy. Per the Senior Bowl, Nagy and Hatman will pull back the curtain on the lifestyle and all aspects of both pathways with NFL scouting departments; pro/advance scouting and college scouting.
"You have to do an assignment, you are grading film on college prospects now that will be drafted in 2025," said Romen Oben, NFL Vice President of Football Development. "So, you are really diving into the Xs and Os, so to speak, right away."
Oben said this year's Scout School participants will likely be invited to come back to the Senior Bowl in January 2025 in Mobile, Ala., as mentors, or advisers. The class starts in the summer and runs through the fall, leading up to next year's Senior Bowl.
Johnson said he's not sure where scouting might take him, whether it could result in him getting an internship, or potentially a job.
But he's looking forward to finding out.
"I feel like this program, me going through the classes and doing the things they do, it will let me know if this is something I really want to do, really want to get into," Johnson said. "But going into it, I feel like I really do. I enjoy watching film and I enjoy scouting. I think it will be very helpful."
Could Johnson perhaps see himself following in the footsteps of Ran Carthon, a former running back turned scout who is now general manager of the Titans?
"I am taking it one step at a time, and trying to dive into the scouting world," Johnson said with a smile. "Once I get into it, I feel like anything I do, I want to be the best at what I do. So the sky is the limit, and if that is what God has planned for me, and that's where it ends up, then I'm going to do my best. But with this process I just want to take it one day at a time and be the best where I first start out. And hopefully, if I do great at it, I can continue taking those steps and we'll see where it goes."
