Jason Johnson (linebacker)

Last updated

Jason Johnson
Personal information
Born: (2001-06-01) June 1, 2001 (age 23) [1]
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school: Rich Central (Olympia Fields, Illinois)
College: Eastern Illinois (2019–2021)
UCF (2022–2023)
Position: Linebacker
Undrafted: 2024
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards

Jason Johnson Jr. (born June 1, 2001) [1] is an American professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Eastern Illinois and UCF.

Contents

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

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 1 in
(1.85 m)		228 lb
(103 kg)		31+1⁄8 in
(0.79 m)		8+3⁄4 in
(0.22 m)		4.66 s1.62 s2.67 s4.51 s7.38 s29 in
(0.74 m)		9 ft 4 in
(2.84 m)		18 reps
All values from Pro Day [16] [17]

Johnson signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2024. [18] He was waived on August 26. [19]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Jason Johnson". ourlads.com. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  2. ↑ Tim, Edgy (January 24, 2019). "Eastern Illinois adds three Chicagoland names to its Class of 2019". NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Jason Johnson". On3.com. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  4. ↑ Helwig, Brandon (March 20, 2022). "UCF lands All-American LB Jason Johnson: 'This is where I wanted to be'". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Jason Johnson". The Football Database. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  6. ↑ Smith, Brian (March 20, 2022). "FCS All-American Linebacker Jason Johnson Transferring to UCF". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  7. ↑ Beede, Jason (March 21, 2022). "UCF adds experienced FCS linebacker from transfer portal". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  8. ↑ Beede, Jason (September 15, 2022). "Transfer LB Jason Johnson sees early success at UCF". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Jason Johnson 2022 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  10. ↑ Beede, Jason (December 27, 2022). "Key decision awaits UCF senior linebacker Jason Johnson". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  11. ↑ Beede, Jason (December 31, 2022). "UCF's Jason Johnson, Ricky Barber to return for 2023 season". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  12. ↑ Layberger, Tom. "UCF's Jason Johnson Winding Down Accomplished Playing, Academic Career". Forbes. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Jason Johnson 2023 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  14. ↑ Hays, Chris (January 12, 2024). "Four UCF players set for Hula Bowl at Bounce House". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  15. ↑ Hays, Chris (January 13, 2024). "UCF's Lokahi Pauole completes excellent adventure from Hawaii to Orlando to Hula". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Jason Johnson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  17. ↑ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Jason Johnson College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  18. ↑ Harris, Nick (May 8, 2024). "12 undrafted free agents expected for rookie camp". DallasCowboys.com.
  19. ↑ "Fehoko, Harvey among first wave of roster cuts". dallascowboys.com. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
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