LAS VEGAS – Zion Johnson has gotten used to being teammates with a Vrabel.
So, what does he think of the possibility of being coached by one?
"I think it would be pretty cool," Johnson, who played next to Tyler Vrabel on the offensive line at Boston College, said on Wednesday at the NFL Draft. "Honestly, I think Tennessee would be a good landing spot."
Johnson, projected to play guard in the NFL after playing at multiple positions in college, is getting ready for the NFL Draft. Like the other prospects, he doesn't know which team will pick him on Thursday night.
Johnson, however, has been a popular pick for the Titans at pick No. 26 in a lot of mock drafts. The Titans, of course, are coached by Mike Vrabel, who is known more as a "dad" to Johnson. That's because Johnson was teammates – and roommates – with Vrabel's oldest son, Tyler.
"He comes to the games, so I've had an opportunity to talk to him and meet him," Johnson said of Coach Vrabel. "He's a really good guy. I kind of get to meet him a bit through osmosis, through Tyler. They are very similar personalities, even though they may be kind of different. Tyler is a hilarious guy, and a great roommate. He was a great guy to play next to for so long. I wouldn't have wanted to play next to anyone other than him."
Have Johnson and Tyler Vrabel talked about the possibility of Johnson playing for Coach Vrabel, aka Tyler's dad?
"I think that is probably one of those unwritten things that you just don't talk a lot about," Johnson said with a smile. "Tyler does talk a lot about how nice it is in Nashville, and Tennessee, things like that. I think we both recognize that it would be pretty cool."
The 6-foot-3, 312-pound Johnson, who appeared in 24 games over three seasons at Boston College, knows plenty about the Titans.
"I try not to pay attention to the mocks, but I had a meeting with them at the combine, they were at my Pro Day," he said. "That's a destination I'd love to go. I love their culture, some of the offensive line guys they've had – Rodger Saffold is one of the guys I've watched the most, and they just lost him. It would be great to go into that room and kind of fill that role.
"Taylor Lewan is a great left tackle; I've watched him quite a bit. Their right guard, Nate Davis, I started watching him a year ago and he has similar measurables to me, and he's really good in the run game."
Johnson will find out soon where he ends up.
No matter where he lands, he knows what the team will be getting.
"I am reliable," he said. "I am not an off-the-field issue. I am someone who is going to be the first one in, last one out. I am someone who can lead, whether it is by example or by being vocal, whatever the situation requires. First and foremost, I want to win. I want to go somewhere where the culture is about winning."
