Kevin Johnson (cornerback)
{{Short description|American football player (born 1992)}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Kevin Johnson
| image = Kevin Johnson (50395930177) (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Johnson with the Cleveland Browns in 2020
| current_team =
| number = 30, 29, 28
| position = Cornerback
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|8|5}}
| birth_place = Clarksville, Maryland, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lbs = 185
| high_school = Clarksville (MD) River Hill
| college = Wake Forest (2010–2014)
| draftyear = 2015
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 16
| pastteams =
- Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2019}})
- Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2020}})
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
| status =
| highlights =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 199
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 1.5
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 1
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 2
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 22
| statlabel6 = Interceptions
| statvalue6 = 1
| pfr = JohnKe04
}}
Kevin Johnson (born August 5, 1992) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for six seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and was selected by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft.
Early life
Johnson attended River Hill High School in Clarksville, Maryland, where he played both cornerback and running back.
Considered a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Johnson was listed as the No. 45 cornerback in the nation in 2010.{{Cite web |title=Kevin Johnson - Football Recruiting - Player Profiles - ESPN |url=http://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/69781/kevin-johnson |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=ESPN.com}} He committed to Wake Forest University to play college football.{{Cite web |last=Bracken |first=Matt |date=2007-08-07 |title=What to expect from Terrence Jennings |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2007-08-what_to_expect_from_terrence_j-story.html |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=Baltimore Sun |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225935/http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/recruiting/2008/02/meet_kenny_tate.html |url-status=dead }}
College career
Johnson attended Wake Forest from 2010 to 2014. As a true freshman, he played in 11 games with five starts. In 2011, he redshirted after being ruled academically ineligible. He returned in 2012 as a starter and remained as the starter throughout his senior season.{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Dan |date=2013-10-17 |title=Deacons' Johnson learned from Campanaro, worked to improve |url=https://journalnow.com/sports/college/wfu/deacons-johnson-learned-from-campanaro-worked-to-improve/article_7c90b2f8-378a-11e3-8a4a-001a4bcf6878.html |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=Winston-Salem Journal |language=en}}{{cite web | last=Collins| first=Dan | title=Wake Forest's secondary is second to none | website=Raleigh News & Observer | date=2014-08-26 | url=https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/wake-forest/article10041227.html | access-date=2024-12-01}} Johnson finished his career with 189 tackles and seven interceptions.{{Cite web |last=Shorr-Parks |first=Eliot |date=2015-01-21 |title=NFL Mock Draft: Eagles take Wake Forest CB Kevin Johnson; Oregon's Marcus Mariota drops to No. 18 |url=https://www.nj.com/eagles/2015/01/nfl_mock_draft_eagles_take_wake_forest_cb_kevin_jo.html |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=NJ.com |language=en}}
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
Coming out of college, analysts projected Johnson to be a first round draft choice. He was ranked the second best cornerback out of the 212 available in the 2015 NFL draft by NFLDraftScout.com.{{cite web|url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=109089&draftyear=2015&genpos=CB| title=Kevin Johnson, DS #2 CB, Wake Forest: 2015 NFL Draft| access-date=December 16, 2016| website=nfldraftscout.com}} Johnson attended the NFL Combine and completed all the drills and workouts but chose not to do the bench press. At Wake Forest's Pro Day, he only performed positional drills after being satisfied with his combine performance. Representatives and scouts from 22 NFL teams attended his pro day, including defensive back coaches from the Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tennessee Titans.{{Cite web |last=Brandt |first=Gil |author-link=Gil Brandt |date=March 2, 2015 |title=Kevin Johnson's Pro Day attracts DB coaches from 4 NFL teams |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/kevin-johnson-s-pro-day-attracts-db-coaches-from-4-nfl-teams-0ap3000000475876 |access-date=December 16, 2016 |website=NFL.com}} He also attended private workouts and visits with multiple teams, including the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens.
{{external media
| video1 = [http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap3000000480149/2015-Combine-workout-Kevin-Johnson Johnson's NFL Combine workout]
| video2 = [http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap3000000473532/Kevin-Johnson-runs-the-40 Kevin Johnson's 40-yard dash]
}}
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 0 1/4
| weight = 188
| dash = 4.52
| ten split = 1.59
| twenty split = 2.63
| shuttle = 3.89
| cone drill = 6.79
| vertical = 41.5
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 10
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 31
| hand span = 8 3/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/kevin-johnson/32004a4f-4800-0010-5d6b-1672ed6adf36 |title=Kevin Johnson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=December 16, 2016}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=109089&DraftYear=2015 |title=Kevin Johnson College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=October 12, 2024}}
}}
=Houston Texans=
==2015==
The Houston Texans selected Johnson in the first round (16th overall) of the 2015 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2015 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2015/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He was the second cornerback selected in 2014, behind Michigan State's Trae Waynes (11th overall).{{cite web|url=http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/Texans-select-Wake-Forest-CB-Kevin-Johnson-at-16/5102be43-132a-4678-b580-2d8130f958d2|title=Texans select Wake Forest CB Kevin Johnson at #16|first=Deepi|last=Sidhu|date=April 30, 2015|access-date=May 1, 2015|work=HoustonTexans.com}}{{Dead link|date=May 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On May 8, 2015, the Texans signed Johnson to a fully guaranteed four-year, $10.04 million contract with a signing bonus of $5.50 million.{{cite web| url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/bal-kevin-johson-river-hill-signs-fouryear-10049-million-texans-rookie-contract-20150508-story,amp.html| title=Kevin Johnson (River Hill) signs four-year, $10.04 million contract, source says| access-date=December 16, 2016| website=Sun-Sentinel.com}}{{Dead link|date=May 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
{{external media
| video1 = [http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap3000000489386/Texans-pick-Kevin-Johnson-No-16 Texans select Johnson 16th overall]
}}
Throughout training camp, he competed against A. J. Bouye for the job as the third cornerback on the depth chart.{{cite web| title=Texans getting their money's worth at nickel back| url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-getting-their-money-s-worth-at-nickel-back-6441415.php| access-date=April 5, 2018| website=HoustonChronicle.com| author=Wilson, Aaron| date=August 12, 2015}} Head coach Bill O'Brien named Johnson the third cornerback on the Texans' depth chart, behind veterans Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson.{{cite web| title=Texans v. Chiefs: New (Unofficial) Houston Texans Depth Chart| url=https://www.battleredblog.com/platform/2015/9/12/9309281/texans-v-chiefs-new-unofficial-houston-texans-depth-chart| access-date=April 5, 2018| website=battleredblog.com| date=September 12, 2015}}{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web| title=Wexler: Texans 53-man roster prediction| url=https://www.click2houston.com/sports/wexler-texans-53-man-roster-prediction| access-date=April 5, 2018| website=click2houston.com| author=Wexler, Adam| date=April 2, 2015}}
He made his professional debut in the Texans' season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs and recorded two solo tackles in the 27–20 loss. On October 4, 2015, he made a season-high five solo tackles in his first career start in a 48–21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The next game, Johnson had his second consecutive start and made five combined tackles in a 27–20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. In Week 8, Johnson had one of the best games of his rookie year when he recorded a season-high six combined tackles and a pass deflection, and intercepted Tennessee Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger for his first career interception. He returned the interception for 22 yards and helped the Texans defeat the Titans, 20–6. Johnson finished his rookie season with a total of 54 combined tackles, nine pass deflections, and an interception while playing in all 16 games and starting ten.{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/player/kevinjohnson/2552261/profile| title=NFL Player Profile: Kevin Johnson| access-date=December 16, 2016| website=NFL.com}}
==2016==
The following season, Johnson returned as the Texans' third cornerback and made two solo tackles in their season-opening victory over the Chicago Bears. The following week, he made four solo tackles in a 19–12 victory over the Chiefs. On October 2, 2016, he made his first start of the season and racked up two solo tackles during the Texans' 27–20 win over the Titans. On October 16, 2016, Johnson recorded a career-high nine solo tackles, one assisted tackle, and a pass deflection in the Texans' 26–23 defeat of the Colts. He broke his foot during the game and was placed on injured-reserve on October 22, 2016.{{cite web|title=Texans place CB Kevin Johnson on reserve/injured|url=http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/Texans-place-CB-Kevin-Johnson-on-reserveinjured/e891823b-d459-4943-a515-f4ae4a030b2b|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=October 22, 2016|access-date=October 22, 2016|archive-date=October 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023060500/http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/Texans-place-CB-Kevin-Johnson-on-reserveinjured/e891823b-d459-4943-a515-f4ae4a030b2b|url-status=dead}} In his absence, Bouye emerged as a sufficient replacement.
Johnson finished his second season with 25 combined tackles and three pass deflections in six games and three starts.{{Cite web |title=Kevin Johnson 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnKe04/gamelog/2016/ |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
==2017==
Johnson entered training camp competing with Jackson for the job as the starting cornerback after Bouye signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He started the Texans' season-opener against the Jaguars and recorded five combined tackles during their 29–7 loss. The following week, he recorded four combined tackles in a 13–9 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. He left during the third quarter after suffering a sprain to his MCL and was estimated to miss the next four-six weeks.{{Cite web |last=Barshop |first=Sarah |date=September 15, 2017 |title=Source: Texans CB Kevin Johnson expected to miss 4-6 weeks due to sprained MCL |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/20715395/houston-texans-cornerback-kevin-johnson-suffers-sprained-mcl-expected-miss-four-six-weeks |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=ESPN.com}} On October 29, 2017, he played in his first game since returning from his MCL injury and recorded five combined tackles and deflected a pass during a 41–38 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Jackson earned Johnson's starting cornerback job during his absence and remained the starter after his return.{{cite web| title=NFL Player stats: Kevin Johnson| url=http://www.nfl.com/player/kevinjohnson/2552261/gamelogs| access-date=November 9, 2017| website=NFL.com}} He played in 12 games overall in 2017, starting four, recording 45 tackles and two pass deflections.
==2018==
On April 30, 2018, the Texans picked up the fifth-year option on Johnson's contract.{{cite web | last=Alper | first=Josh | title=Texans pick up Kevin Johnson's option for 2019 | website=NBC Sports | date=2018-04-30 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/texans-pick-up-kevin-johnsons-option-for-2019 | access-date=2024-12-14}} In Week 1 against the New England Patriots, Johnson suffered a concussion and was placed on injured reserve on September 12, 2018.{{cite web|title=TRANSACTIONS: Texans place Henderson, Johnson on reserve/injured list|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/transactions-texans-place-henderson-johnson-on-ir|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=September 12, 2018}}
On March 5, 2019, Johnson was released by the Texans.{{cite web|title=Texans cut Kevin Johnson|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/03/05/texans-cut-kevin-johnson/|author=Smith, Michael David|work=Pro Football Talk|publisher=NBC Sports|date=March 5, 2019}}
=Buffalo Bills=
On March 11, 2019, the Buffalo Bills signed Johnson to a one-year deal.{{cite web|title=Bills add free agent cornerback Kevin Johnson|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-add-free-agent-cornerback-kevin-johnson|author=Brown, Chris|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=March 12, 2019}} He played in 16 games with one start, recording 36 tackles, five passes defended, and one sack.
=Cleveland Browns=
On April 4, 2020, Johnson signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns.{{cite web|title=CB Kevin Johnson gives Browns another veteran option at defensive back|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/cb-kevin-johnson-gives-browns-another-veteran-option-at-defensive-back|author=Gribble, Andrew|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=April 4, 2020}} He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on January 2, 2021,{{cite news |title=Browns place CB Kevin Johnson on COVID-19 list |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-place-cb-kevin-johnson-on-covid-19-list |website=ClevelandBrowns.com |date=January 2, 2021 |access-date=February 15, 2021}} and activated on January 13.{{cite news |title=Browns activate CBs Denzel Ward, Kevin Johnson |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-activate-cbs-denzel-ward-kevin-johnson |website=ClevelandBrowns.com |date=January 13, 2021 |access-date=February 15, 2021}}
=Tennessee Titans=
Johnson signed with the Titans on March 22, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Jim |date=March 22, 2021 |title=Titans Reach Deal With Veteran CB Kevin Johnson |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/kevin-johnson-titans-reach-deal-with-veteran-cb-kevin-johnson |access-date=March 22, 2021 |website=TennesseeTitans.com}} He announced his retirement on June 4, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Jim |date=June 4, 2021 |title=Titans Place Veteran CB Kevin Johnson on Reserve/Retired List |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-place-veteran-cb-kevin-johnson-on-reserve-retired-list |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TennesseeTitans.com}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| Bold
| Career high |
=Regular season=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
!rowspan="2"| Team !colspan="2"| Games !colspan="5"| Tackles !colspan="5"| Interceptions !colspan="4"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | |
| 2015 | HOU
| 16 || 10 || 54 || 48 || 6 || 0.0 || 3 || 1 || 22 || 0 || 22 || 9 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 | HOU
| 6 || 3 || 25 || 22 || 3 || 0.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 0 || 1 || 53 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2017 | HOU
| 12 || 4 || 45 || 35 || 10 || 0.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2018 | HOU
| 1 || 1 || 4 || 1 || 3 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2019 | BUF
| 16 || 1 || 36 || 25 || 11 || 1.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2020 | CLE
| 13 || 6 || 35 || 22 || 13 || 0.5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| | 64 | 25 | 199 | 153 | 46 | 1.5 | 6 | 1 | 22 | 0 | 22 | 22 | 1 | 2 | 53 | 0 |
=Playoffs=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
!rowspan="2"| Team !colspan="2"| Games !colspan="5"| Tackles !colspan="5"| Interceptions !colspan="4"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | |
| 2015 | HOU
| 1 || 1 || 3 || 2 || 1 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2019 | BUF
| 1 || 1 || 9 || 7 || 2 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2020 | CLE
| 1 || 1 || 5 || 5 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| | 3 | 3 | 17 | 14 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Personal life
Johnson is childhood friends with former NFL wide receiver Michael Campanaro. They attended high school and college together.
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150422092340/http://www.wakeforestsports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/kevin_johnson_584930.html Wake Forest Demon Deacons bio]
{{2015 NFL Draft}}
{{TexansFirstPick}}
{{Texans2015DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Kevin}}
Category:Sportspeople from Howard County, Maryland
Category:Players of American football from Maryland
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:Wake Forest Demon Deacons football players
Category:Houston Texans players
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:Buffalo Bills players