HOUSTON (AP) — Lonnie Johnson Jr. nearly quit playing football.The Indiana native was bouncing around the junior college ranks and having trouble making the jump up to the next level.“I almost gave it up at one point in junior college because I kept getting knocked down every step I tried to take Joel Heath Jersey ,” Johnson said. “Just stuck with it, ended up qualifying through school and got to Kentucky and ended up doing the right thing.”The work paid off after two years at Kentucky: Johnson was taken by the Houston Texans in the second round of the NFL draft Friday night at No 54 overall.“It just shows that I work hard,” Johnson said. “Everything that it took to get here, everything I’ve been through, I’m lost for words right now.”Johnson started 18 games for the Wildcats after a series of twists and turns. Originally, he committed to Ohio State but did not qualify academically. In 2014, Johnson played at San Bernardino Valley Community College before spending the next two years at Garden City Community College. His final two seasons were spent at Kentucky, where he had 64 tackles with 12 pass breakups.“He was just a really impressive guy,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “The way he could talk about his life D.J. Reader Jersey White , the way he could talk about football and then obviously, his skill set on the field. So, I think the more our organization got to know him we felt like he’d be a great fit.”This is the third straight season the Texans have addressed the cornerback position in the draft. Johnson will try and fill the voids left in the secondary with the exits of Tyrann Mathieu, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, and Kareem Jackson, who signed with the Denver Broncos.The Texans also used two of their top three picks to shore up their porous offensive line and get Deshaun Watson some protection: Northern Illinois’ Max Scharping (No. 55 overall) and first-rounder Tytus Howard of Alabama State will be asked to help protect the oft-banged up quarterback.“I know he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league,” Scharping said. “He’s a great person to be able to protect for. He’s athletic, he can move throughout the pocket and he’s got a great arm. I can’t wait to be one of the guys protecting him.”Watson was sacked an NFL-leading 62 times as Houston won the AFC South last season.Howard was a quarterback in high school before growing into his 6-foot-5, 322-pound frame while Scharping is a 6-foot-6 http://www.thetexanslockerroom.com/authentic-nick-martin-jersey , 327-pound tackle who started in 53 consecutive games for the Huskies.Scharping, who is a native of Green Bay, will get to head to his hometown next season when the Texans and Packers participate in a joint practice prior to their preseason opener. Scharping is also now teammates with fellow Wisconsin native J.J. Watt, who he watched growing up when he played at Wisconsin.“It’s going to be amazing being on the same team,” Scharping said. “You’re going against the best defensive line in the country, really. You’ve got him; you’ve got Clowney. So, blocking those guys in practice every day, you’re going to be going up against the best.”The Texans finished the night picking San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring (No. 86 overall). He started playing football in his senior year of high school.“Meets our prototypical standards, everything we look for Andre Hal Jersey White ,” Texans general manager Brian Gaine said. “From the physical skillset and ending the with character and football skillset. Ton of upside here, a youthful player as it relates to his football experience but a ton of upside.”In high school, Warring played multiple sports, including water polo and basketball, which he said helped him transition to football.The 6-foot-5, 252-pound tight end was always curious about playing football and never thought about getting drafted into the NFL when he made the choice.“No, I was just enjoying the game of football falling in love with it day by day,” Warring said. “I was just having fun with my friends.”The Texans will finish off the draft with three picks in the final four rounds on Saturday. Houston will have a single pick in the fifth (161st overall), sixth (195th overall) and seventh round (220th overall).“We’re going to honor the board Jeff Allen Jersey White ,” Gaine said. “We’re going to honor the process. It’s the best available player that makes the most sense in the moment and at that time.”__ This week’s Conference Championships:Big 12 - Texas vs. Oklahoma - 11 CDTFor the first time in history, Texas and Oklahoma meet twice at a neutral site in the same season. A win for Oklahoma would likely mean a Top 4 spot, and nobody would love to spoil that more than their fiercest rival in the Texas Longhorns.SEC - Georgia vs. Alabama - 3 CDTCan Georgia get revenge in last year’s title game rematch? Not only would they be able to reclaim bragging rights with a win, but a spot in the Top 4 as well.AAC - Memphis vs. UCF - 3:30 CDTUndefeated UCF looks to make it 25 consecutive wins with redshirt freshman Darriel Mack starting for an injured McKenzie Milton. It’s a rematch of last year’s championship where UCF won in overtime. Memphis has been the team to give UCF the most trouble during their win streak, losing closely in their last two meetings.Mountain West - Fresno State vs. Boise State - 6:45 CDTIf UCF were to slip up against Memphis, the winner of this game will head to a New Year’s Six game. Very high stakes between two teams that have flown under the national radar this season.ACC - Pittsburgh vs. Clemson - 7 CDTClemson looks to go into bowl season with an undefeated record. The only thing standing in between them and a national semifinal is a Pittsburgh team that gave Notre Dame major fits earlier this season.Big Ten - Northwestern vs. Ohio State - 7 CDTOhio State has an outside shot at a playoff spot, but all playoff hopes would come crashing down with a loss to Northwestern at the Big Ten title game. Can Northwestern play spoiler and pull off the upset?