Brandon Johnson (defensive back)

Last updated
Brandon Johnson
No. 49  Philadelphia Eagles
Position Defensive back
Roster status Practice squad
Personal information
Born (2003-03-25) March 25, 2003 (age 22)
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school Newton-Conover
(Newton, North Carolina)
College Duke (2021–2023)
Oregon (2024)
NFL draft 2025: undrafted
Career history
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2025
Tackles 1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Brandon Johnson (born March 25, 2003) is an American professional football defensive back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Duke Blue Devils and Oregon Ducks.

Contents

Early life and college career

Johnson was born on March 25, 2003, and grew up in Newton, North Carolina. [1] Both of his parents were athletes at Lenoir–Rhyne University. [2] He attended Newton-Conover High School where he competed in football and track and field, winning the regional championship in the 100 metres while being an all-conference and all-state performer in football. [1] A defensive back in football, Johnson helped his school to a state playoff appearance as a senior after posting 44 tackles and three interceptions. [1] He was ranked a three-star recruit and committed to play college football for the Duke Blue Devils. [2]

As a true freshman at Duke in 2021, Johnson tallied 17 tackles and recovered a fumble. [3] He then started all 13 games in 2022 and posted 55 tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-loss (TFLs), 5.5 sacks and two interceptions, earning honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) honors. [1] [3] Johnson was given Duke's 2022 Cutcliffe Family Award as the team's most improved player. [1] He repeated as an honorable mention All-ACC selection in 2023, when he was named Duke's defensive skill player of the year after recording 56 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, two sacks and four pass breakups. [1] [4] Johnson transferred to the Oregon Ducks in 2024 and was used as their fifth defensive back, known as the STAR position to the team. [5] He recorded 45 tackles, 4.5 TFLs and an interception while starting eight games for the Ducks. [6]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand spanWingspan 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 9+18 in
(1.76 m)
179 lb
(81 kg)
30 in
(0.76 m)
8 in
(0.20 m)
5 ft 11+78 in
(1.83 m)
4.40 s1.56 s2.52 s4.21 s6.94 s35.5 in
(0.90 m)
10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)
11 reps
All values from Pro Day [7] [8]

After going unselected in the 2025 NFL draft, Johnson signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent. [6] He was waived on August 26, 2025, at the final roster cuts, then re-signed to the practice squad the following day. [9] [10] He was elevated to the active roster for the team's Week 16 game against the Washington Commanders and made his NFL debut in the game, posting a tackle. [11] [12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Brandon Johnson". Duke Blue Devils.
  2. 1 2 Dwyer, Miles (January 17, 2024). "7 Things to know about Oregon's transfer DB Brandon Johnson". USA Today .
  3. 1 2 Crepea, James (January 17, 2024). "Former Duke nickel back Brandon Johnson commits to Oregon". OregonLive.com .
  4. Crepea, James (August 4, 2024). "Duke transfer Brandon Johnson proving to be quick study of Oregon's defense, showing early leadership qualities in Ducks secondary". OregonLive.com .
  5. Streeter, Isaac (August 5, 2024). "Oregon football's Brandon Johnson ready for tall task of the STAR". Portland Tribune .
  6. 1 2 Zangaro, Dave (April 26, 2025). "NFL Draft 2025: Eagles undrafted free agent tracker". NBC Sports Philadelphia.
  7. "Complete Pro Day Results 2025 NFL Draft". BNBFootball.com. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  8. "Brandon Johnson RAS". RAS.Football. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  9. Zangaro, Dave (August 24, 2025). "Eagles 2025 roster cuts: Tracking the roster moves to 53". NBC Sports Philadelphia.
  10. Zangaro, Dave (August 27, 2025). "Eagles practice squad tracker 2025: Filling out the squad". NBC Sports Philadelphia.
  11. Williams, Charean (December 19, 2025). "Eagles elevate TE E.J. Jenkins, CB Brandon Johnson from the practice squad for Saturday's game". ProFootballTalk . NBC Sports.
  12. "Brandon Johnson Career Game Log". Pro Football Reference .