A. J. Johnson (linebacker) explained

Alexander Johnson
Position:Linebacker
Birth Date:24 December 1991
Birth Place:Gainesville, Georgia, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lbs:255
High School:Gainesville
College:Tennessee
Undraftedyear:2015
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:252
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statvalue2:4.5
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Statvalue3:4
Statlabel4:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue4:2
Statlabel5:Pass deflections
Statvalue5:8
Statlabel6:Interceptions
Statvalue6:1
Pfr:JohnAl01

Alexander James Johnson (born December 24, 1991) is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Tennessee.

Early life

Johnson attended and played high school football at Gainesville High School,[1] [2]

College career

Johnson attended the University of Tennessee, where he played college football under head coaches Derek Dooley and Butch Jones.[3] Johnson made 138 tackles in 2012 to lead the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in that category.[4] He made 106 tackles in 2013, and was named First-team All-SEC.[5] [6]

He was also named a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America in 2011.[7]

Following speculation that he might skip his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft, Johnson announced in January 2014 that he would remain at Tennessee for his senior year.[8] In April 2014, Johnson was named a Strength and Conditioning All-American by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.[9]

Suspension

On November 18, 2014, Johnson was suspended from the University of Tennessee after he was accused of rape.[10] Two days prior, Johnson threw a party at his apartment. A woman, who was visiting out of state, stated she had previously had two sexual encounters with Johnson. She alleged that she was shocked when Johnson immediately began having sex with her after entering his bedroom. She then alleges that Johnson's fellow teammate Michael Williams joined and began raping her alongside Johnson.[11] On February 12, 2015, Johnson and Williams were both officially indicted on two counts of aggravated rape by a grand jury.[12]

On July 27, 2018, Johnson and Williams were acquitted of all charges.[13]

Professional career

Pre-draft

Johnson initially received an invitation to attend the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine. On February 13, 2015, it was reported that the NFL had officially rescinded Johnson's invitation to the NFL Combine after he was indicted on two counts of aggravated rape the day prior.[14] Johnson was projected to be a third or fourth round pick by the majority of NFL draft experts before he was accused of rape.

Denver Broncos

2018

Johnson signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent on August 13, 2018, after being acquitted of his rape charges.[15] He made the Broncos 53-man roster, only playing in one game through 11 weeks before being waived on November 29, 2018.[16] After clearing waivers, he was re-signed to the Broncos practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Broncos on January 2, 2019.[17]

2019

In Week 5, against the Los Angeles Chargers, Johnson made his first career start. He intercepted a pass from Philip Rivers in the end zone as the Broncos won 20–13.[18] In Week 6, against the Tennessee Titans, he made 9 total tackles with 1.5 sacks and 1 tackle for loss as the Broncos won 16–0.[19] In Week 9 against the Cleveland Browns, Johnson recorded a team-high 13 tackles in the 24–19 win.[20]

Johnson recorded five total tackles in a Week 14 road contest against the Houston Texans and former Gainesville High teammate Deshaun Watson.[21] The linebacker also forced a Keke Coutee fumble that teammate Kareem Jackson returned for a 70-yard touchdown en route to a 38–24 Broncos victory.[22] He finished the 2019 season with 1.5 sacks, 93 total tackles (51 solo), one interception, three passes defended, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 15 games and starts.[23]

2020

Johnson started in all 16 games in the 2020 season. He finished with one sack, 124 total tackles (72 solo), two passes defended, and two forced fumbles.[24]

2021

The Broncos placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Johnson on March 16, 2021.[25] He signed the one-year contract on May 20.[26] He entered the 2021 season as a starting linebacker. He suffered a torn pectoral in Week 6 and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on October 19, 2021.[27]

Seattle Seahawks

On October 26, 2022, Johnson was signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad.[28]

Miami Dolphins

On August 24, 2023, Johnson signed with the Miami Dolphins.[29] He was waived on August 28, and re-signed to the practice squad.[30] [31] He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season and thus became a free agent upon the expiration of his practice squad contract.[32]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: A.J. Johnson, Gainesville, Weak-Side Defensive End . December 2, 2019 . 247Sports . en-US.
  2. Web site: Murphy . Bill . December 2, 2019 . Murphy: Now NFL stars, pair of Gainesville High grads gearing up to go against one another . July 12, 2021 . Gainesville Times.
  3. Web site: A.J. Johnson College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits . March 9, 2024 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
  4. News: August 16, 2013 . Tennessee LB A.J. Johnson responds to coach's request that he emerge as defense's 'alpha male' . Fox Sports . Associated Press . December 1, 2019.
  5. Web site: A.J. Johnson - Football . December 2, 2019 . University of Tennessee Athletics . en.
  6. Web site: Woodbery . Evan . December 9, 2013 . Linebacker A.J. Johnson is only UT player on All-SEC first-team » . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140131075633/http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2013/dec/09/linebacker-aj-johnson-is-only-ut-player-on-all/ . January 31, 2014 . December 2, 2019 . GoVolsXtra.
  7. Web site: January 9, 2012 . FWAA names 2011 Freshman All-America Team . December 1, 2019 . FWAA.
  8. Web site: Brown . Patrick . January 8, 2014 . Linebacker A.J. Johnson staying with Tennessee Vols . December 2, 2019 . Chattanooga Times Free Press.
  9. Web site: Johnson & Neal Named NSCA All-Americans . https://web.archive.org/web/20140429050212/http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042514aae.html . April 29, 2014 . December 2, 2019 . University of Tennessee Athletics.
  10. Web site: Slovin . Matt . Wadhwani . Anita . November 17, 2014 . UT suspends A.J. Johnson, Michael Williams from team . December 2, 2019 . The Tennessean . en.
  11. Web site: July 27, 2018 . Ex-Vols A.J. Johnson, Michael Williams acquitted on rape charges . May 1, 2020 . ESPN.com. Associated Press.
  12. Web site: Goodbread . Chase . February 12, 2015 . Ex-Tennessee LB A.J. Johnson indicted on two counts of rape . May 1, 2020 . NFL.com.
  13. Web site: July 28, 2018 . Ex-Vols A.J. Johnson, Michael Williams acquitted on rape charges . March 9, 2024 . ESPN.com . Associated Press.
  14. Web site: A.J. Johnson has NFL Scouting Combine invite revoked . May 1, 2020 . NFL.com.
  15. Web site: August 13, 2018 . Broncos sign LB A.J. Johnson, release LB Stansly Maponga . December 1, 2019 . DenverBroncos.com.
  16. Web site: November 29, 2018 . Broncos release A.J. Johnson, call up Jeff Holland from practice squad . December 1, 2019 . MileHighSports.com.
  17. Web site: Swanson . Ben . January 2, 2019 . Broncos sign 10 players to future contracts . December 1, 2019 . DenverBroncos.com.
  18. Web site: October 6, 2019 . Lindsay helps give Broncos' Fangio first win as coach . October 6, 2019 . . Associated Press.
  19. Web site: Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos - October 13th, 2019 . December 2, 2019 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  20. Web site: November 3, 2019 . Allen leads Broncos past Browns 24-19 in first NFL start . November 3, 2019 . . Associated Press.
  21. Web site: Broncos vs. Texans - Play-By-Play, December 8, 2019 - ESPN.com . ESPN.
  22. Web site: Broncos D Scores a Wacky Fumble Recovery TD! . July 12, 2021 . YouTube.
  23. Web site: Alexander Johnson 2019 Game Log . March 9, 2024 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  24. Web site: Alexander Johnson 2020 Game Log . March 9, 2024 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  25. Web site: DiLalla . Aric . March 16, 2021 . Broncos place second-round tenders on RFAs Tim Patrick, Alexander Johnson, also tender Phillip Lindsay, several ERFAs . March 17, 2021 . DenverBroncos.com.
  26. Web site: DiLalla . Aric . May 20, 2021 . LB Alexander Johnson signs restricted free agent tender . May 22, 2021 . DenverBroncos.com.
  27. Web site: Swanson . Ben . October 19, 2021 . Broncos promote ILBs Curtis Robinson, Barrington Wade to active roster, place Alexander Johnson, Andre Mintze on injured reserve . September 29, 2023 . DenverBroncos.com.
  28. Web site: Boyle . John . October 26, 2022 . Seahawks Activate L.J. Collier From IR; Tre Brown & Travis Homer Return To Practice . September 29, 2023 . Seahawks.com.
  29. Web site: August 24, 2023 . Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves . September 29, 2023 . MiamiDolphins.com.
  30. Web site: August 28, 2023 . Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves . September 29, 2023 . MiamiDolphins.com.
  31. Web site: August 30, 2023 . Miami Dolphins Sign Eight to Practice Squad . September 29, 2023 . MiamiDolphins.com.
  32. Web site: Masala . Mike . January 15, 2024 . Dolphins sign 8 players to reserve/future contracts after 2023 season . March 9, 2024 . Dolphins Wire . USA Today.