STARKVILLE — The message from Mississippi State linebacker Jett Johnson has been simple to his friends and teammates as they prepare for the NFL Draft.

“For three months, just eradicate distractions,” Johnson tells them. “Really lock in. Don’t be drinking, chasing women and all that. It can change our life if we just lock in for three months.”

Johnson, meeting with reporters after Mississippi State’s on-campus Pro Day on Tuesday, joked that those activities weren’t part of his every-day routine. But as players embark on the transition from college to the NFL, focusing on what the pre-draft process can do for them is important.

It’s especially pivotal for players, such as Johnson and many of his teammates, who aren’t guaranteed to hear their names called when the NFL Draft begins on April 25. A clean slate, paired with quality offseason workouts and strong interviews with teams, could help their chances, though.

Will Nathaniel Watson, Jett Johnson be drafted?

Johnson and teammate Nathaniel Watson made up arguably the SEC’s top linebacker duo across their final two seasons. In 2022, Johnson led the conference with 116 tackles while Watson ranked second with 114. Last season they flipped, with Watson’s 137 tackles leading the SEC while Johnson’s 130 tackles ranked second.

The two have often been linked, but Johnson acknowledges the athleticism that makes Watson a more likely NFL Draft selection among the two.

“He’s kind of his own person,” Johnson said. “He’s a beast. I like to be associated with somebody like that.”

Watson was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis where he ran a 4.63-second 40-yard dash. The NFL gives him a prospect grade of 5.96 – suggesting he could be an average backup or special teams option. In the coming weeks, he has visits with the Patriots, Cowboys and Seahawks lined up.

Lideatrick Griffin impacted by NFL kickoff rule change

MSU receiver Lideatrick Griffin made his name in the college game through special teams. He averaged 30.4 yards per kick return across his four seasons and scored a pair of touchdowns.

However, returns will look different in the NFL, which on Tuesday adopted a low-impact kickoff similar to what has been used in the XFL. The kicker will kick from his own 35-yard line while 10 players from the kicking team will line up at the opposing 40-yard line − five yards apart from the receiving team. Neither team can start running until a returner receives the kick.

“I had just seen that like an hour ago,” Griffin said. “I’m ready to see how I handle it. It’s definitely going to be kind of new for me.”

Griffin was asked how it would feel to hear his name called in the NFL Draft, but he couldn’t answer. Until it happens, he doesn’t know. Getting to fulfill that dream, though, would come with some extra weight for Griffin.

Griffin has a young son who accompanied him for senior night festivities at Davis Wade Stadium in November. Paving a path for his son is part of Griffin’s goal, but as is the case with football, fatherhood comes one day at a time.

“My son, he’s pretty bad right now,” Griffin joked. “I may have to put him in timeout. We’re going to see how that goes.”

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Decamerion Richardson takes part in Mississippi State Pro Day

Corner Decamerion Richardson took part in Mississippi State’s Pro Day, though the end of his college career featured some controversy.

In mid-December, Richardson entered the transfer portal. Shortly after, he committed to Ole Miss. In mid-January, he declared for the NFL Draft.

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin has trolled Richardson on social media, congratulating him as a Rebel for his work in the pre-draft process. However, at the combine as well as Pro Day, Richardson has identified as a Mississippi State product.

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State football Pro Day: Is Jett Johnson NFL Draft pick?