D. J. Johnson (linebacker) explained

D. J. Johnson
Current Team:Carolina Panthers
Number:52
Position:Linebacker
Birth Date:21 October 1998
Birth Place:Sacramento, California, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:4
Weight Lbs:260
High School:Luther Burbank
(Sacramento, California)
College:Miami (FL) (2017)
Oregon (2018–2022)
Draftyear:2023
Draftround:3
Draftpick:80
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:16
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Statlabel4:Fumble recoveries
Pfr:JohnDJ00
Statlabel5:Pass deflections
Statvalue5:1

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

Early years

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

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

The Carolina Panthers traded up to the 80th overall pick to select Johnson in the 2023 NFL draft.[12]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Oregon TE DJ Johnson’s surprise emergence is a revelation years in the making. Tyson. Alger. The Athletic. November 13, 2020. October 11, 2022.
  2. Web site: Harvey . Antonio . October 13, 2021 . Johnson Performing Well For Ducks . October 11, 2022 . The Sacramento Observer.
  3. Web site: Chirinos . Christy Cabrera . Hurricanes get commitment from four-star DE Deonte "DJ" Johnson . Orlando Sentinel . 2016-07-26 . 2024-07-29.
  4. Web site: DJ Johnson gets Miami’s permission to be contacted by eight Pac-12 schools. John. Taylor. NBC Sports. January 3, 2018. October 11, 2022.
  5. Web site: Degnan . Susan Miller . Fourth Miami Hurricane leaves football team, cites family’s ‘severe health issues’ . Miami Herald . 2018-01-02 . 2024-07-29.
  6. Web site: Recruiting: Miami (Fla.) DE D.J. Johnson transferring to Oregon Ducks; How was he ranked as a prospect?. Andrew. Nemec. The Oregonian. August 9, 2019. October 11, 2022.
  7. Web site: Thorburn . Ryan . Ducks seek right fit for Johnson . The Register Guard . 2019-08-09 . 2024-07-29.
  8. Web site: DJ Johnson Remains Prepared for Any Situation. John. Rustik. SI.com. September 15, 2021. October 11, 2022.
  9. Web site: DJ Johnson shines in first game as tight end for undermanned Oregon Ducks. Dylan. Mickanen. NBC Sports Northwest. November 8, 2020. October 11, 2022.
  10. Web site: DJ Johnson makes crucial plays both ways for Oregon Ducks. James. Crepea. The Oregonian. September 15, 2021. October 11, 2022.
  11. Web site: Oregon Ducks tight end/defensive end DJ Johnson returning in 2022. James. Crepea. The Oregonian. January 14, 2022. October 11, 2022.
  12. Web site: April 28, 2023 . Panthers trade up to select edge rusher DJ Johnson out of Oregon . 2023-04-29 . Panthers.com . en-US.