Jaleel Johnson
{{Short description|American football player (born 1994)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Jaleel Johnson
| current_team =
| number = 94, 93, 90, 79
| position = Defensive end
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|7|12}}
| birth_place = Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 316
| high_school = Montini Catholic
(Lombard, Illinois)
| college = Iowa (2012–2016)
| draftyear = 2017
| draftround = 4
| draftpick = 109
| pastteams =
- Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2020}})
- Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
- Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2021}})
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2022}})*
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2022}})*
- Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2022}})
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2022}})
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2023}})
| status =
| highlights =
- First-team All-Big Ten (2016)
| statseason =
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 149
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 7.5
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 1
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 2
| pfr = JohnJa09
}}
Jaleel Johnson (born July 12, 1994) is a former American professional football defensive end. He played college football at Iowa. Johnson was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round, 109th overall of the 2017 NFL draft.
Early life
Born in New York City, Johnson grew up in a rough neighborhood in Brooklyn. As a teenager, his parents sent him to live with an aunt in Chicago where he had a better chance to thrive. He played football and wrestled at St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois, where he was a three-year starter as a defensive tackle and offensive lineman and was named first-team All-area. However, in the middle of his junior year, due to a coaching change and a losing season, Johnson transferred to Montini Catholic High School for his senior season, and in his only campaign at Montini, Johnson was named team captain and earned first-team All-state, All-conference and All-area honors as well as prep All-America recognition after helping the Broncos post 12-2 a record while winning the state championship, finishing with a 70–45 victory over Joliet Catholic. He recorded 80 tackles, including five tackles for loss, three sacks and nine pressures. During his time at St. Joseph, Johnson also earned two letters as a heavyweight wrestler.{{cite web|url=http://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/football/2016/10/28/jaleel-johnson-provides-power-middle-iowa-defense/92903316/ |title=Jaleel Johnson provides power in middle of Iowa defense |website=Hawkcentral.com |date=October 28, 2016 |access-date=April 27, 2017}}
Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Johnson received scholarship offers from half of the Big Ten. It was Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz who convinced him to play for the Hawkeyes after he sent a personal letter that made an impression on Johnson. He took a few visits to Iowa City and decided to sign with the Hawkeyes. Shortly after Signing Day, Johnson decommitted to take a closer look at Michigan State one more time, but ended up committing back to Iowa.
College career
Johnson played at the University of Iowa from 2012 to 2016. Johnson had to wait a while before getting significant playing time due to Iowa's depth in the interior defensive line. He redshirted in 2012, and played in seven games as a reserve defensive tackle the following season, and then had 11 tackles, 2.5 for loss, as a backup in 2014.{{cite web|author=Marc Morehouse |url=http://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/iowas-jaleel-johnson-closing-in-on-the-payday-20170304 |title= Iowa's Jaleel Johnson closing in on the payday |publisher=The Gazette |date=March 4, 2017 |access-date=April 27, 2017}} Given the starting role as a junior in 2015, Johnson garnered honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. Johnson stepped up his game in 2016, being named first-team All-Conference after leading his team with 10 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.{{cite web|author=Marc Morehouse |url=http://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/the-iowa-defensive-tackle-machine-20151015 |title= The Iowa defensive tackle machine |publisher=The Gazette |date=April 23, 2017 |access-date=April 27, 2017}} In Iowa's biggest game in 2016 against No. 3 Michigan, Johnson was one of the biggest reasons the Hawkeyes won 14–13, as he led the team with 9 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack and a safety in the second quarter.{{cite web|url=http://qctimes.com/sports/football/college/big-10/iowa/johnson-hawkeyes-chase-perfection/article_55e9c56e-e333-5369-b70b-8c92b0c179f4.html |title=Johnson, Hawkeyes chase perfection {{pipe}} Iowa Hawkeyes Football |website=Qctimes.com |date=September 29, 2016 |access-date=April 27, 2017}} According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Johnson ranked sixth among defensive tackles in pass rush productivity with 43 combined pressures in 330 snaps.{{cite web |title=PFF scouting report: Jaleel Johnson, DI, Iowa |url=https://www.pff.com/news/draft-pff-scouting-report-jaleel-johnson-di-iowa |website=Pro Football Focus |access-date=7 May 2021 |language=en |date=29 March 2017}} During his five-year career with the Hawkeyes, Johnson posted 113 tackles, 18.5 of them for loss and 12.5 sacks.
=Statistics=
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||
| ! colspan="16" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Iowa Hawkeyes|color=white}}" | Iowa Hawkeyes | ||||||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Season
! colspan=5|Tackles ! colspan=6|Interceptions ! colspan=4|Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Solo | Ast | Sck | Tfl | PDef | Int | Yards | Avg | Lng | TDs | FF | FR | FR Yds | TDs |
| 2013
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014
| 11 | 2 | 9 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015
| 45 | 22 | 23 | 3.5 | 5.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016
| 56 | 30 | 26 | 7.5 | 10.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| colspan=1|[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jaleel-johnson-1.html NCAA career totals]
! 113 | 54 | 59 | 12.5 | 18.5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Professional career
{{external media
| video1 = [http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap3000000796953/Jaleel-Johnson-2017-Combine-Workout Johnson performing at the NFL Combine]
}}
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2+5/8
| weight = 316
| dash = 5.25
| ten split = 1.84
| twenty split = 3.07
| shuttle = 4.62
| cone drill = 7.64
| vertical = 28
| broad ft = 8
| broad in = 5
| bench = 19
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 33+1/4
| hand span = 9+5/8
| note = All values are from NFL Combine except 40-yard dash and broad jump from Iowa Pro Day[http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=123708&draftyear=2017&genpos=DT *Jaleel Johnson | Iowa, DT : 2017 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile]
}}
=Minnesota Vikings=
Johnson was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round with the 109th overall selection in the 2017 NFL draft.{{cite web|title=Vikings Select Iowa DT Jaleel Johnson|url=http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Vikings-Select-Iowa-DT-Jaleel-Johnson/9a6a01d9-76d8-4204-9c37-1534a692152b|website=Vikings.com|date=April 29, 2017|access-date=May 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504120855/http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Vikings-Select-Iowa-DT-Jaleel-Johnson/9a6a01d9-76d8-4204-9c37-1534a692152b|archive-date=May 4, 2017|url-status=dead}}
Over his first three seasons in the NFL, Johnson played mainly in a reserve role, making four starts while also recording four sacks over that period, including 3.5 sacks in 2019. In 2020, Johnson moved into a starting role after projected starter Michael Pierce opted out of the season due to concerns over COVID-19.{{Cite web|date=2020-07-28|title=Vikings' Michael Pierce to opt out of 2020 season due to respiratory issues|url=https://www.twincities.com/2020/07/28/vikings-nt-michael-pierce-to-opt-out-of-2020-season-due-to-respiratory-issues/|access-date=2020-10-14|website=Twin Cities|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=After strong '19 season, tackle Jaleel Johnson could help new-look Vikings defensive line|url=https://www.startribune.com/hartman-after-strong-19-season-vikings-tackle-johnson-could-help-new-look-line/572031382/|access-date=2020-10-14|website=Star Tribune}} He started all 16 games and recorded 44 tackles and one and a half sacks.{{cite web |title=Jaleel Johnson Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnJa09.htm |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=7 May 2021 |language=en}}
=Houston Texans (first stint)=
On April 8, 2021, Johnson signed with the Houston Texans.{{cite news |title=Houston Texans Transactions (4-8-2021) |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-4-8-2021 |website=HoustonTexans.com |date=April 8, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021}} He was released on August 31, 2021.{{cite web|title=Houston Texans Transactions (8-31-2021)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-8-31-2021|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=August 31, 2021}}
=New Orleans Saints (first stint)=
On September 6, 2021, Johnson was signed to the New Orleans Saints practice squad.{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-x4679|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=September 6, 2021|access-date=September 7, 2021|archive-date=September 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907004600/https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-x4679|url-status=dead}}
=Houston Texans (second stint)=
On September 15, 2021, Johnson was signed by the Texans off the Saints practice squad after defensive lineman Vincent Taylor suffered an ankle injury.{{cite web|title=Houston Texans Transactions (9-15-2021)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-9-15-2021|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=September 15, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Sidhu |first1=Deepl |title=Texans bring back DL Jaleel Johnson with Vincent Taylor out |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/texans-bring-back-dl-jaleel-johnson-with-vincent-taylor-out |access-date=16 September 2021 |work=www.houstontexans.com |date=15 September 2021}}
=New Orleans Saints (second stint)=
On April 4, 2022, Johnson signed with the Saints.{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints agree to terms with defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson on one-year contract|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/jaleel-johnson-defensive-tackle-new-orleans-saints-nfl-free-agency-2022|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=April 4, 2022}} He was released on August 11, 2022.{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-brian-allen-kj-costello-jack-koerner|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=August 11, 2022}} He was re-signed four days later.{{cite web|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-roster-moves-transactions-jon-bostic-niko-lalos|title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves|date=August 15, 2022|accessdate=August 15, 2022}} He was placed on injured reserve on August 17.{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-transactions-derrick-kelly|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=August 17, 2022}} On August 23, 2022, he was released with an injury settlement.{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-x2907|website=neworleanssaints.com|date=August 23, 2022}}
=Atlanta Falcons (first stint)=
On October 5, 2022, Johnson was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad.{{cite web|title=Falcons designate CB Isaiah Oliver to return off IR, sign DT Jaleel Johnson to practice squad|url=https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2022/10/5/23389416/falcons-designate-isaiah-oliver-to-return-ir-sign-jaleel-johnson-to-practice-squad-nfl-week-5-2022|work=The Falcoholic|date=October 5, 2022}}
=Houston Texans (third stint)=
On October 27, 2022, Johnson was signed by the Texans off the Falcons practice squad.{{cite web|title=Houston Texans Transactions (10-27-2022)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-10-27-2022|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=October 27, 2022}} He was released on November 19.{{cite web|title=Houston Texans Transactions (11-19-2022)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-11-19-2022|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=November 19, 2022}}
=Atlanta Falcons (second stint)=
On November 21, 2022, Johnson was claimed off waivers by the Falcons.{{cite web|title=Falcons Sign Titans Ex LB, Barstool Sports Host Will Compton|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/falcons/.amp/news/atlanta-falcons-sign-free-agent-will-compton-tennessee-titans-jaleel-johnson-john-raine-justin-shaffer|website=SI.com|date=November 21, 2022}}
=Tennessee Titans=
On May 30, 2023, Johnson signed with the Tennessee Titans.{{cite web|title=Titans Agree to Terms with Veteran DL Jaleel Johnson|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/do-not-pub-titans-agree-to-terms-with-veteran-dl-jaleel-johnson|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=May 30, 2023}} He was released on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad on September 20.{{cite web|title=Titans Trim Roster Ahead of NFL's Deadline|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-trim-roster-ahead-of-nfl-s-deadline|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=August 29, 2023}} He was promoted to the active roster on October 28.{{cite web|title=Titans Make a Flurry of Roster Moves Ahead of Sunday's Game vs the Falcons|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-make-a-flurry-of-roster-moves-ahead-of-sunday-s-game-vs-the-falcons|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=October 28, 2023}} Johnson was released on November 21 and re-signed eight days later.{{cite web |last1=Moraitis |first1=Mike |title=Jaleel Johnson tweets frustration after being cut by Titans |url=https://titanswire.usatoday.com/2023/11/21/titans-jaleel-johnson-frustration-tweets-release/ |website=Titans Wire |access-date=22 November 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Moraitis |first1=Mike |title=Titans bring Jaleel Johnson back despite critical tweets |url=https://titanswire.usatoday.com/2023/11/29/titans-sign-jaleel-johnson-tweets/ |website=Titans Wire |access-date=30 November 2023}}
=Retirement=
Johnson announced his retirement on Instagram on March 19, 2025, after spending the entire 2024 season as an unsigned free agent.{{Cite web |last=Brener |first=Jeremy |date=March 19, 2025 |title=Former Titans DT Announces Retirement|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/titans/news/former-tennessee-titans-jaleel-johnson-announces-retirement |access-date=April 10, 2025 |website=Tennessee Titans On SI |language=}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Footballstats|nfl=jaleel-johnson|pfr=J/JohnJa09|espn=2979523|yahoo=30222}}
- [http://www.hawkeyesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=369 Iowa Hawkeyes bio]
{{Vikings2017DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Jaleel}}
Category:Players of American football from Brooklyn
Category:Players of American football from DuPage County, Illinois
Category:People from Lombard, Illinois
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:Iowa Hawkeyes football players
Category:Houston Texans players
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:Minnesota Vikings players
Category:New Orleans Saints players