The New York Giants are counting on several of their young players to take the next steps in their careers this year. One of them is tight end Theo Johnson, who was a fourth-round pick out of Penn State in the 2024 NFL draft.

Johnson showed some ability as a rookie in 2024, catching 29 of 43 targets for 331 yards and a touchdown before his season ended after 12 games with the dreaded Lisfranc foot injury.

The 6-foot-6, 265-pound Johnson has been working his way back into form, and this offseason, attended the Tight End University in Nashville run by George Kittle, Travis Kelce, and Greg Olsen.

“I thought it was a great experience, getting around guys I’ve only kind of watched on film and tape and stuff, and kind of seeing them in person, having a hands-on approach to it. I thought it was a really cool experience,” Johnson told reporters on Friday after practice. “Something from in college, every tight end, pretty much wants to be there, so it was a pretty cool experience. I got a ton out of it. Looking forward to going again next year.”

Johnson was asked if he learned anything he didn’t already know.

“I wouldn’t say it’s stuff I didn’t entirely know, but just seeing how Kittle brings the physicality in the run game and also in the pass game, top of the route stuff, using his body really well, having that body control,” he said. “I think that’s something I took out of his speeches, especially in the classroom stuff.”

One player that made an impression on Johnson was former Giants first-round pick Evan Engram, who is now a member of the Denver Broncos.

“I learned a lot from Evan Engram, how he moves and stuff, how smooth and fluid his movements are. I learned a ton from both of those guys and many others as well,” he said.

An additional perk Johnson got from his trip to Nashville was that he said he got to meet Kelce’s significant other, pop star Taylor Swift.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Theo Johnson ‘learned a lot’ from ex-Giant Evan Engram at Tight End U