Jason Johnson (linebacker) explained

Jason Johnson
Current Team:Dallas Cowboys
Number:53
Position:Linebacker
Birth Date:1 June 2001[1]
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lb:235
High School:Rich Central (Olympia Fields, Illinois)
College:Eastern Illinois (2019–2021)
UCF (2022–2023)
Undraftedyear:2024
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:

Jason Johnson Jr. (born June 1, 2001) is an American professional football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Eastern Illinois and UCF.

Early life and high school

Johnson attended high school at Rich Central. Coming out of high school, Johnson decided to commit to play college football for the Eastern Illinois Panthers.[2] [3]

College career

Eastern Illinois

In the 2021 season, Johnson would lead the Ohio Valley Conference in tackles with 112.[4] Johnson finished his career at Eastern Illinois with 235 tackles and two and a half sacks.[5]

UCF

Johnson decided to transfer to play for the UCF Knights to continue his collegiate football career.[6] [7] In week two of the 2022 season, Johnson tallied 12 tackles in a 20-14 loss versus Louisville.[8] Johnson finished the 2022 season with 126 tackles with four being for a loss, one sack, two fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles.[9] For his performance in the 2022 season, Johnson earned first-team all-American honors.[10] Johnson decided to return to UCF for the 2023 season as a fifth-year senior.[11] In week 12 of the 2023 season, Johnson notched six tackles, a sack, and he deflected a pass that was intercepted, as he helped UCF dominate Oklahoma State 45-3.[12] In Johnson's final season in 2023 he tallied 114 tackles with six and a half going for a loss, three sacks, two pass deflections, and a fumble recovery.[13] Johnson was invited to play in the 2024 Hula Bowl, in which he was named the game's Defensive MVP.[14] [15]

Professional career

Johnson signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2024.[16]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jason Johnson. ourlads.com. May 15, 2024.
  2. Web site: Tim . Edgy . Eastern Illinois adds three Chicagoland names to its Class of 2019 . NBC Sports Chicago . 24 January 2019 . 16 January 2024.
  3. Web site: Jason Johnson . On3.com . 16 January 2024.
  4. Web site: Helwig . Brandon . UCF lands All-American LB Jason Johnson: 'This is where I wanted to be' . Rivals.com . 20 March 2022 . 16 January 2024.
  5. Web site: Jason Johnson . The Football Database . 16 January 2024.
  6. Smith . Brian . FCS All-American Linebacker Jason Johnson Transferring to UCF . Sports Illustrated . 20 March 2022 . 16 January 2024.
  7. Web site: Beede . Jason . UCF adds experienced FCS linebacker from transfer portal . Orlando Sentinel . 21 March 2022 . 16 January 2024.
  8. Web site: Beede . Jason . Transfer LB Jason Johnson sees early success at UCF . Orlando Sentinel . 15 September 2022 . 16 January 2024.
  9. Web site: Jason Johnson 2022 Game Logs . Sports Reference . 16 January 2024.
  10. Web site: Beede . Jason . Key decision awaits UCF senior linebacker Jason Johnson . Orlando Sentinel . 27 December 2022 . 16 January 2024.
  11. Web site: Beede . Jason . UCF's Jason Johnson, Ricky Barber to return for 2023 season . Sun Sentinel . 31 December 2022 . 16 January 2024.
  12. Web site: Layberger . Tom . UCF's Jason Johnson Winding Down Accomplished Playing, Academic Career . Forbes . 16 January 2024.
  13. Web site: Jason Johnson 2023 Game Logs . Sports Reference . 16 January 2024.
  14. Web site: Hays . Chris . Four UCF players set for Hula Bowl at Bounce House . Orlando Sentinel . 12 January 2024 . 16 January 2024.
  15. Web site: Hays . Chris . UCF's Lokahi Pauole completes excellent adventure from Hawaii to Orlando to Hula . Orlando Sentinel . 13 January 2024 . 16 January 2024.
  16. Web site: 12 undrafted free agents expected for rookie camp. Harris, Nick. DallasCowboys.com. May 8, 2024.