With the success of the “Where are they now?” series, every so often here at Cat Scratches, we’re going to (try to) post an update on a former Kentucky Wildcat in the professional ranks. Because there are so many former Cats playing in the pros, we’ve decided to pick one each time and offer a brief highlight of what they’re doing. The updates will generally coincide with each season’s sport. Today is former UK wide receiver Stevie Johnson.The skinnyStevie Johnson, a former All-SEC wide receiver and fan favorite at UK, is a fourth-year player for the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.UK backgroundA San Francisco native, Johnson came to Kentucky as a transfer from Chabot College in California. With two years of eligibility remaining, big things were expected of in 2006. As is the case with many junior college transfers, he took some time to adjust to Division I football and to Andre’ Woodson, his new quarterback. He had just nine catches for 92 yards and a touchdown in the regular season, but had a breakout game in UK’s Music City Bowl victory. He caught three passes for 67 yards, cause for optimism entering his senior year. In 2007, he and the Wildcats put together a banner season, winning the Music City Bowl for the second season in a row. Johnson was a key cog in UK’s high-octane attack, catching 61 passes for 1,052 yards and 13 touchdowns. Three of his touchdowns that season were game winners, including an overtime touchdown to send UK past No. 1 LSU and a long fourth quarter touchdown against Louisville that spawned the phrase “Stevie got loose.” Earning All-SEC honors from College Football News, Johnson went on to be drafted by the Bills in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft.Professional updateBeing picked in the seventh round is no guarantee of a roster spot and Johnson has worked tirelessly to establish himself as an NFL receiver. His first season the league, Johnson worked his way into the Bills’ receiving corps late in the season, totaling 10 catches for 102 yards. He scored his first two professional touchdowns in weeks 15 and 16 of 2008 against the New York Jets and Denver Broncos. The following season was a trying one for Johnson, as he was plagued by a severe rib injury that limited him to just two catches for 10 yards all season.He responded with hard work, earning a starting role to begin 2010. He briefly lost the job early in the season, but regaining it in week three when he began a stretch of five consecutive games with a receiving touchdown. The streak was highlighted by a breakout performance against the Baltimore Ravens when he caught eight passes for 158 yards. Two weeks later, he would outdo himself with an 11-catch, 145-yard game against the Chicago Bears. Another two weeks later, he captured everyone’s attention with three touchdowns and 137 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals. For the season, Johnson had 82 catches for 1,073 yards and 10 touchdowns.Before the 2011 season, the Bills trade away No. 1 wide receiver Lee Evans, meaning that Johnson would carry even more responsibilities. Contending with a groin injury, Johnson has not disappointed through the first two weeks of the season. With quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick often looking to Johnson, the Bills have raced out to an improbable 2-0 start. Johnson has caught a touchdown in each of the games and had eight catches for 96 yards in a week two win over the Oakland Raiders.What they’re saying about JohnsonJohnson emerges as Bills’ go-to receiver (Jason Jones, Sacramento Bee) Johnson makes noise nationally, but not at home in Bay Area (Jerry McDonald, San Jose Mercury News) Johnson’s NFL.com profileFollow Stevie Johnson on Twitter