KeeSean Johnson
{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1996)}}
{{distinguish|Keyshawn Johnson}}
{{Use American English|date = September 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = September 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = KeeSean Johnson
| image = 2025, 03, KeeSean Johnson.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Johnson with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2025
| current_team = Saskatchewan Roughriders
| number = 3
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|10|9}}
| birth_place = Mountain View, California, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lb = 201
| high_school = Palo Alto (Palo Alto, California)
| college = Fresno State (2014–2018)
| draftyear = 2019
| draftround = 6
| draftpick = 174
| pastteams =
- Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2019}}–{{NFL Year|2020}})
- Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|2021}})
- San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|2022}})*
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2022}})*
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2022|2023}})*
- Saskatchewan Roughriders ({{CFL Year|2024}}–present)
| status =
| highlights =
- 2× Second-team All-MW (2017, 2018)
- Fresno State career leader in receptions (275) and receiving yards (3,463)
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 36
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 360
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 1
| pfr = JohnKe07
}}
KeeSean Johnson (born October 9, 1996) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Fresno State and is the program's all-time leader in receiving yards and receptions.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/fresno-state/receiving.html|title=Fresno State Bulldogs Receiving|website=Sports Reference|access-date=September 18, 2019}} Johnson was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft.
Early life
Johnson attended and played football at Palo Alto High School, in Palo Alto, California. Johnson played for the same high school as Davante Adams, before they both played for Fresno State University.{{Cite news |url=https://paloaltoonline.com/news/2018/10/28/palo-alto-grad-johnson-sets-fresno-state-receptions-record |title=Palo Alto Grad at Fresno State |website=PaloAlto Online.}}
College career
Johnson redshirted during his 2014 freshman season and only played one game at Fresno State. In 2015, Johnson started some games. In 2016, as a sophomore, Johnson led the team in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.{{cite web |title=2016 Fresno State Bulldogs Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/fresno-state/2016.html |website=Sports Reference |access-date=April 5, 2020}}
During the 2017 season as a junior, Johnson led the team in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns for the second-straight season. He caught at least one pass in all 14 games, extending his streak to a program record 36 consecutive games with a catch dating back to 2015, breaking Henry Ellard's record of 34, set from 1979–82.{{cite web |title=CSJ Mountain West Championship Game Preview |url=http://www.college-sports-journal.com/csj-mountain-west-championship-game-preview-fresno-state-at-boise-state-how-to-watch-and-fearless-predictions/ |website=College Sports Journal |date=November 30, 2018}} Johnson was named a 2017 All-Mountain West Conference Second-Team selection.{{Cite web |url=https://mwwire.com/2017/11/29/mountain-west-football-all-conference-selections-announced/ |title=MWC Award Selections |website=MW Wire|date=November 29, 2017 }}
In 2018, as a senior, Johnson led the team in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns for the third straight season{{cite web |last1=De Leon |first1=Anthony |title=KeeSean Johnson gets drafted in sixth round, Bulldogs sign also as free agents |url=https://collegian.csufresno.edu/2019/04/keesean-johnson-get-drafted-in-sixth-round-bulldogs-sign-also-as-free-agents/#.XopnuP1KjIU |website=The Collegian |access-date=April 5, 2020 |date=April 27, 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and became the program's all-time leader in both career receptions, with 275 receptions, and career receiving yards, with 3,463 yards.{{cite web |title=Fresno State Bulldogs Receiving |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/fresno-state/receiving.html |website=Sports Reference |access-date=April 5, 2020}} For the season, Johnson was fourth in the FBS in receiving yards and fifth in receptions; among active players' careers, he ranked second and first, respectively. Johnson also extended his streak of consecutive games with a pass caught to 50. He was named an All-Mountain West Second-Team selection.{{Cite web |url=https://themw.com/news/2018/11/28/mountain-west-announces-2018-football-all-conference-teams-and-individual-honors.aspx |title=MWC All Selection Teams |website=MW Wire}}
= Statistics =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||||||
| Year | Team | Games | Rec | Yards | YPC | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 || Fresno State University
| 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||
| 2015 || Fresno State University
| 12 || 37 || 337 || 9.1 || 2 || 29 | |||||||
| 2016 || Fresno State University
| 12 || 66 || 773 || 11.7 || 6 || 53 | |||||||
| 2017 || Fresno State University
| 14 || 77 || 1,013 || 13.2 || 8 || 81 | |||||||
| 2018 || Fresno State University
| 14 || 95 || 1,340 || 14.1 || 8 || 45 | |||||||
| colspan=2|Total || 53 || 275 || 3,463 ||| 12.0 || 24 || 81 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1 1/8
| weight = 201
| dash = 4.53
| ten split = 1.59
| twenty split = 2.63
| shuttle = 4.23
| cone drill = 6.81
| vertical = 32.5
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 9
| bench = 14
| arm span = 32
| hand span = 9 1/2
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |title=KeeSean Johnson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/keesean-johnson/32004a4f-4800-0018-9595-504f85cf2f56 |access-date=September 18, 2019 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2019 NFL Draft Scout KeeSean Johnson College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1006935&DraftYear=2019 |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
=Arizona Cardinals=
Johnson was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round (174th overall) of the 2019 NFL draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2019/4/27/18520263/az-arizona-cardinals-take-wide-receiver-keesean-johnson-out-of-fresno-state|title=Arizona Cardinals take wide receiver KeeSean Johnson out of Fresno State|last=Cox|first=Seth|date=April 27, 2019|work=SB Nation|publisher=Vox Media|access-date=September 18, 2019}} He made his NFL debut in the Cardinals' 2019 season opener against the Detroit Lions. In the 27–27 tie, he had five receptions for 46 yards on ten targets.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/cardinals-keesean-johnson-receives-10-targets-in-pro-debut/ |title=Cardinals' KeeSean Johnson: Receives 10 targets in pro debut |website=CBSSports.com |date=September 9, 2019 |language=en |access-date=2019-09-25}} Johnson scored his first NFL touchdown on October 31, 2019, against San Francisco 49ers.{{cite web | last=Odegard | first=Kyle | title=Rookie Wideouts Andy Isabella, KeeSean Johnson Seize Moment | website=Arizona Cardinals| date=2019-11-01 | url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/rookie-wideouts-andy-isabella-keesean-johnson-seize-moment | access-date=2024-11-06}}
On September 11, 2020, Johnson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list,{{cite web|title=KeeSean Johnson First Cardinal Player On COVID Reserve List|url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/keesean-johnson-first-cardinal-player-on-covid-reserve-list|author=Urban, Darren|website=azcardinals.com|date=September 11, 2020}} and activated 10 days later.{{cite news |author=Urban, Darren |title=Maxx Williams Goes To IR; KeeSean Johnson Activated From COVID List |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-maxx-williams-injured-reserve-keesean-johnson-activated-covid |website=AZCardinals.com |date=September 21, 2020 |access-date=September 25, 2020}}
On August 30, 2021, Johnson was waived by the Cardinals.{{cite web|title=Cardinals Release 10, Including KeeSean Johnson|url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-release-10-including-keesean-johnson|author=Urban, Darren|website=AZCardinals.com|date=August 30, 2021}}
=Philadelphia Eagles=
On September 2, 2021, Johnson was signed to the practice squad of the Philadelphia Eagles.{{cite web|title=Eagles sign DT Hassan Ridgeway; place T/G Jack Driscoll, TE Tyree Jackson, and CB Josiah Scott on Injured Reserve|url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-sign-ridgeway-place-driscoll-jackson-scott-on-ir|author=McPherson, Chris|website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com|date=September 2, 2021}} He was placed on the COVID list on January 1, 2022, and activated four days later.{{cite news |title=Barnett Returns From COVID List As Two More Enter Protocols |url=https://www.sportstalkphilly.com/2022/01/barnett-returns-from-covid-list-as-two-more-enter-protocols.html |author=Bowman, Paul |website=SportsTalkPhilly.com |date=January 1, 2022}}{{cite news |title=Eagles activate WR KeeSean Johnson from the Practice Squad Reserve/COVID-19 list |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-activate-keesean-johnson-from-the-practice-squad-reserve-covid-19-list |author=McPherson, Chris |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com |date=January 5, 2022}}
=San Francisco 49ers=
On January 26, 2022, Johnson signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers.{{cite web|title=49ers add WR KeeSean Johnson on reserve/future contract|url=https://ninerswire.usatoday.com/2022/01/26/49ers-sign-keesean-johnson-futures-contract/|work=Niners Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=January 26, 2022}} He was waived on August 15, 2022.{{cite web|title=49ers release Darqueze Dennard, waive three|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/08/15/49ers-release-darqueze-dennard-waive-three/amp/|website=NBCSports.com|date=August 15, 2022|access-date=August 15, 2022|archive-date=August 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815191428/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/08/15/49ers-release-darqueze-dennard-waive-three/amp/|url-status=dead}}
=Atlanta Falcons=
On August 17, 2022, Johnson signed with the Atlanta Falcons.{{cite web|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-add-receiver-to-2022-preseason-roster-release-another-keeshaun-johnson|title=Falcons add receiver to 2022 preseason roster, release another|date=August 17, 2022|accessdate=August 17, 2022|first=Tori|last=McElhaney|work=AtlantaFalcons.com}} He was waived on August 30.{{cite web|title=Falcons announce initial 53-man roster heading into 2022 regular season|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-announce-initial-53-man-roster-heading-into-2022-regular-season|author=Bair, Scott|website=AtlantaFalcons.com|date=August 30, 2022}}
=Buffalo Bills=
On October 11, 2022, Johnson was signed to the practice squad of the Buffalo Bills. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 23, 2023.{{cite web|title=Bills signed these players to reserve/future contracts for 2023|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-signed-these-players-to-reserve-future-contracts-for-2023|author=Jenkins, Chris|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=January 23, 2023}} He was waived on August 29, 2023.{{cite web|title=Bills announce moves to get to 53-man roster|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-announce-moves-to-get-to-53-man-roster|author=White, Alec|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=August 29, 2023}}
=Saskatchewan Roughriders=
On February 29, 2024, Johnson signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.{{cite web | title=Riders Ink Arizona Cardinals Draft Selection Keesean Johnson | website=Saskatchewan Roughriders | date=2024-02-29 | url=https://www.riderville.com/2024/02/29/riders-ink-arizona-cardinals-draft-selection-keesean-johnson/ | access-date=2024-11-06}}
Personal life
Johnson has confirmed that he was not named after former NFL receiver Keyshawn Johnson, though KeeSean has met Keyshawn before. Coincidentally, both KeeSean and Keyshawn have worn jersey number 19 in the NFL.{{Cite web|url=https://cardswire.usatoday.com/2019/04/30/keesean-johnson-keyshawn-johnson-name-az-arizona-cardinals/|title=Believe it or not, Cardinals WR KeeSean Johnson isn't named for Keyshawn Johnson|last=Root|first=Jess|date=April 30, 2019|website=USA Today|publisher=Gannett|language=en|access-date=September 18, 2019}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.riderville.com/players/keesean-johnson/168310/ Saskatchewan Roughriders bio]
- [https://gobulldogs.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8575 Fresno State Bulldogs bio]
{{Saskatchewan Roughriders roster navbox}}
{{Arizona Cardinals 2019 draft navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, KeeSean}}
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Arizona Cardinals players
Category:Atlanta Falcons players
Category:Buffalo Bills players
Category:Fresno State Bulldogs football players
Category:Palo Alto High School alumni
Category:Players of American football from Palo Alto, California
Category:Philadelphia Eagles players
Category:San Francisco 49ers players
Category:Saskatchewan Roughriders players