D. J. Johnson (linebacker)

D. J. Johnson (born October 21, 1998) is an American professional football linebacker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Miami (FL) and Oregon.

D. J. Johnson
No. 52 – Carolina Panthers
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1998-10-21) October 21, 1998 (age 26)
Sacramento, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:260 lb (118 kg)
Career information
High school:Luther Burbank
(Sacramento, California)
College:Miami (FL) (2017)
Oregon (2018–2022)
NFL draft:2023 / round: 3 / pick: 80
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:16
Pass deflections:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early years

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Johnson grew up in Sacramento, California and attended Luther Burbank High School.[1] He had 85 tackles, 14.5 sacks, and 31 tackles for loss as a senior.[2] Johnson was rated a four-star recruit and committed to play college football at Miami over offers from Washington, Alabama, USC, Florida, Georgia, Oregon, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.[3]

College career

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Johnson began his college career at Miami. He played in eight games and made three tackles as a freshman.[4] After the season, Johnson left the program with the intent to transfer.[5]

Johnson ultimately transferred to Oregon.[6] He sat out for the regular season of his first year with the Ducks per NCAA transfer rules.[7] As a redshirt sophomore, Johnson played in 13 games and finished the season with 14 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two sacks.[8] He was moved to tight end for the 2020 season.[9] Johnson finished the season with 10 receptions for 113 yards and three touchdowns.[10] He played both defensive end and tight end as a redshirt senior and had 11 tackles with two tackles for loss and a sack on defense and caught one pass for 11 yards on offense. Johnson used the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and returned to Oregon for a fifth year.[11]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4 in
(1.93 m)
260 lb
(118 kg)
33 14 in
(0.84 m)
9 in
(0.23 m)
4.49 s 1.59 s 2.58 s 4.51 s 7.33 s 32.0 in
(0.81 m)
9 ft 7 in
(2.92 m)
28 reps
Sources:[12][13]

The Carolina Panthers traded up to the 80th overall pick to select Johnson in the 2023 NFL draft.[14]

References

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  1. ^ Alger, Tyson (November 13, 2020). "Oregon TE DJ Johnson's surprise emergence is a revelation years in the making". The Athletic. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  2. ^ Harvey, Antonio (October 13, 2021). "Johnson Performing Well For Ducks". The Sacramento Observer. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  3. ^ Chirinos, Christy Cabrera (July 26, 2016). "Hurricanes get commitment from four-star DE Deonte "DJ" Johnson". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  4. ^ Taylor, John (January 3, 2018). "DJ Johnson gets Miami's permission to be contacted by eight Pac-12 schools". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  5. ^ Degnan, Susan Miller (January 2, 2018). "Fourth Miami Hurricane leaves football team, cites family's 'severe health issues'". Miami Herald. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  6. ^ Nemec, Andrew (August 9, 2019). "Recruiting: Miami (Fla.) DE D.J. Johnson transferring to Oregon Ducks; How was he ranked as a prospect?". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  7. ^ Thorburn, Ryan (August 9, 2019). "Ducks seek right fit for Johnson". The Register Guard. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  8. ^ Rustik, John (September 15, 2021). "DJ Johnson Remains Prepared for Any Situation". SI.com. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  9. ^ Mickanen, Dylan (November 8, 2020). "DJ Johnson shines in first game as tight end for undermanned Oregon Ducks". NBC Sports Northwest. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  10. ^ Crepea, James (September 15, 2021). "DJ Johnson makes crucial plays both ways for Oregon Ducks". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  11. ^ Crepea, James (January 14, 2022). "Oregon Ducks tight end/defensive end DJ Johnson returning in 2022". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  12. ^ "DJ Johnson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  13. ^ "2023 NFL Draft Scout DJ Johnson College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  14. ^ "Panthers trade up to select edge rusher DJ Johnson out of Oregon". Panthers.com. April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
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