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A. J. Johnson (linebacker)

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Alexander Johnson
refer to caption
Johnson with the Denver Broncos in 2019
Personal information
Born: (1991-12-24) December 24, 1991 (age 32)
Gainesville, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High school:Gainesville
College:Tennessee
Position:Linebacker
Undrafted:2015
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:252
Sacks:4.5
Forced fumbles:4
Fumble recoveries:2
Pass deflections:8
Interceptions:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Alexander James Johnson (born December 24, 1991) is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Tennessee.

Early life

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Johnson attended and played high school football at Gainesville High School,[1][2]

College career

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Johnson attended the University of Tennessee, where he played college football under head coaches Derek Dooley and Butch Jones.[3] Johnson made 138 tackles in 2012 to lead the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in that category.[4] He made 106 tackles in 2013, and was named First-team All-SEC.[5][6]

He was also named a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America in 2011.[7]

Following speculation that he might skip his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft, Johnson announced in January 2014 that he would remain at Tennessee for his senior year.[8] In April 2014, Johnson was named a Strength and Conditioning All-American by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.[9]

Suspension

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On November 18, 2014, Johnson was suspended from the University of Tennessee after he was accused of rape.[10] Two days prior, Johnson threw a party at his apartment. A woman, who was visiting out of state, stated she had previously had two sexual encounters with Johnson. She alleged that she was shocked when Johnson immediately began having sex with her after entering his bedroom. She then alleges that Johnson's fellow teammate Michael Williams joined and began raping her alongside Johnson.[11] On February 12, 2015, Johnson and Williams were both officially indicted on two counts of aggravated rape by a grand jury.[12]

On July 27, 2018, Johnson and Williams were acquitted of all charges.[13]

Professional career

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Pre-draft

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight
6 ft 2 in
(1.88 m) 		242 lb
(110 kg)
Values from Pro Day[14][15]

Johnson initially received an invitation to attend the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine. On February 13, 2015, it was reported that the NFL had officially rescinded Johnson's invitation to the NFL Combine after he was indicted on two counts of aggravated rape the day prior.[16] Johnson was projected to be a third or fourth round pick by the majority of NFL draft experts before he was accused of rape.

Denver Broncos

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2018

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Johnson signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent on August 13, 2018, after being acquitted of his rape charges.[17] He made the Broncos 53-man roster, only playing in one game through 11 weeks before being waived on November 29, 2018.[18] After clearing waivers, he was re-signed to the Broncos practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Broncos on January 2, 2019.[19]

2019

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In Week 5, against the Los Angeles Chargers, Johnson made his first career start. He intercepted a pass from Philip Rivers in the end zone as the Broncos won 20–13.[20] In Week 6, against the Tennessee Titans, he made 9 total tackles with 1.5 sacks and 1 tackle for loss as the Broncos won 16–0.[21] In Week 9 against the Cleveland Browns, Johnson recorded a team-high 13 tackles in the 24–19 win.[22][2]

Johnson recorded five total tackles in a Week 14 road contest against the Houston Texans and former Gainesville High teammate Deshaun Watson.[2][23] The linebacker also forced a Keke Coutee fumble that teammate Kareem Jackson returned for a 70-yard touchdown en route to a 38–24 Broncos victory.[23][24] He finished the 2019 season with 1.5 sacks, 93 total tackles (51 solo), one interception, three passes defended, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 15 games and starts.[25]

2020

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Johnson started in all 16 games in the 2020 season. He finished with one sack, 124 total tackles (72 solo), two passes defended, and two forced fumbles.[26]

2021

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The Broncos placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Johnson on March 16, 2021.[27] He signed the one-year contract on May 20.[28] He entered the 2021 season as a starting linebacker. He suffered a torn pectoral in Week 6 and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on October 19, 2021.[29]

Seattle Seahawks

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On October 26, 2022, Johnson was signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad.[30]

Miami Dolphins

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On August 24, 2023, Johnson signed with the Miami Dolphins.[31] He was waived on August 28, and re-signed to the practice squad.[32][33] He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season and thus became a free agent upon the expiration of his practice squad contract.[34]

References

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  1. ^ "A.J. Johnson, Gainesville, Weak-Side Defensive End". 247Sports. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c Murphy, Bill (December 2, 2019). "Murphy: Now NFL stars, pair of Gainesville High grads gearing up to go against one another". Gainesville Times. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  3. ^ "A.J. Johnson College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  4. ^ "Tennessee LB A.J. Johnson responds to coach's request that he emerge as defense's 'alpha male'". Fox Sports. Associated Press. August 16, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  5. ^ "A.J. Johnson - Football". University of Tennessee Athletics. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  6. ^ Woodbery, Evan (December 9, 2013). "Linebacker A.J. Johnson is only UT player on All-SEC first-team »". GoVolsXtra. Archived from the original on January 31, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  7. ^ "FWAA names 2011 Freshman All-America Team". FWAA. January 9, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  8. ^ Brown, Patrick (January 8, 2014). "Linebacker A.J. Johnson staying with Tennessee Vols". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  9. ^ "Johnson & Neal Named NSCA All-Americans". University of Tennessee Athletics. Archived from the original on April 29, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  10. ^ Slovin, Matt; Wadhwani, Anita (November 17, 2014). "UT suspends A.J. Johnson, Michael Williams from team". The Tennessean. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  11. ^ "Ex-Vols A.J. Johnson, Michael Williams acquitted on rape charges". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 27, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  12. ^ Goodbread, Chase (February 12, 2015). "Ex-Tennessee LB A.J. Johnson indicted on two counts of rape". NFL.com. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  13. ^ "Ex-Vols A.J. Johnson, Michael Williams acquitted on rape charges". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 28, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  14. ^ "2015 Draft Scout A.J. Johnson, Tennessee NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  15. ^ "A.J. Johnson 2015 NFL Draft Profile". ESPN. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  16. ^ "A.J. Johnson has NFL Scouting Combine invite revoked". NFL.com. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  17. ^ "Broncos sign LB A.J. Johnson, release LB Stansly Maponga". DenverBroncos.com. August 13, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  18. ^ "Broncos release A.J. Johnson, call up Jeff Holland from practice squad". MileHighSports.com. November 29, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  19. ^ Swanson, Ben (January 2, 2019). "Broncos sign 10 players to future contracts". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  20. ^ "Lindsay helps give Broncos' Fangio first win as coach". ESPN. Associated Press. October 6, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  21. ^ "Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos - October 13th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  22. ^ "Allen leads Broncos past Browns 24-19 in first NFL start". ESPN. Associated Press. November 3, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  23. ^ a b "Broncos vs. Texans - Play-By-Play, December 8, 2019 - ESPN.com". ESPN.
  24. ^ "Broncos D Scores a Wacky Fumble Recovery TD!". YouTube. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  25. ^ "Alexander Johnson 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  26. ^ "Alexander Johnson 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  27. ^ DiLalla, Aric (March 16, 2021). "Broncos place second-round tenders on RFAs Tim Patrick, Alexander Johnson, also tender Phillip Lindsay, several ERFAs". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  28. ^ DiLalla, Aric (May 20, 2021). "LB Alexander Johnson signs restricted free agent tender". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  29. ^ Swanson, Ben (October 19, 2021). "Broncos promote ILBs Curtis Robinson, Barrington Wade to active roster, place Alexander Johnson, Andre Mintze on injured reserve". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  30. ^ Boyle, John (October 26, 2022). "Seahawks Activate L.J. Collier From IR; Tre Brown & Travis Homer Return To Practice". Seahawks.com. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  31. ^ "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. August 24, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  32. ^ "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. August 28, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  33. ^ "Miami Dolphins Sign Eight to Practice Squad". MiamiDolphins.com. August 30, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  34. ^ Masala, Mike (January 15, 2024). "Dolphins sign 8 players to reserve/future contracts after 2023 season". Dolphins Wire. USA Today. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
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