Tao Johnson

Last updated

Tao Johnson
Utah UtesNo. 5
Position Safety
Class
Redshirt Redshirt.svg
Redshirt
Junior
Personal information
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight193 lb (88 kg)
Career history
College
  • Utah (2022–present)
High schoolThunder Ridge High School (Idaho Falls, Idaho)

Tao Johnson is an American football safety for the Utah Utes.

Contents

Early life and high school

Johnson attended at Thunder Ridge High School located in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Coming out of high school, he committed to play college football for the Utah Utes over offers from other schools such as Washington State, Virginia, and UNLV. [1]

College career

In his freshman season in 2022, Johnson played in fives game as a wide receiver, however heading into the 2023 season, he would switch his position to play for the Utes defense as a defensive back. [2] In week four of the 2023 season, he tallied four tackles and a fumble recovery in a victory over UCLA. [3] During the 2023 season, he played in 13 games making 12 starts, where he recorded 33 tackles with one and a half being for a loss, five pass deflections, and a fumble recovery. [4] In week two of the 2024 season, Johnson returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown in a victory versus Baylor. [5] In week five, he notched his first career interception off of quarterback Noah Fifita against Arizona. [6] Johnson finished the 2024 season, totaling 70 tackles, four pass deflections, one interception, and a forced fumble. [7]

References

  1. McDonald, Ryan. "Utah football gets commitment from Idaho ATH Tao Johnson". Deseret News. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  2. Coles, Joe. "Tao Johnson's unique path to free safety has prepared him for the moment". Deseret News. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  3. Coles, Joe. "'High football IQ': Tao Johnson has made the switch from offense to defense seamlessly". Deseret News. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  4. Coles, Joe. "Why Tao Johnson is primed to be the next impactful Utah safety, and who could start alongside him". Deseret News. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  5. Holt, Chandler. "Utah Football Blocks Baylor Field Goal, Tao Johnson Returns Kick For TD". KSL Sports. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  6. Holt, Chandler. "Tao Johnson Picks Off Noah Fifita To Give Utah Fourth-Quarter Spark". KSL Sports. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  7. Janes, Dawson. "Tao Johnson: Opponents Will Have to Play Up to Utah's Safety Room". 247Sports. Retrieved June 21, 2025.