Brandon Johnson (wide receiver)

Brandon Johnson
No. 89 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1998-07-26) July 26, 1998 (age 26)
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:American Heritage School
College:Tennessee (2016–2020)
UCF (2021)
Undrafted:2022
Career history
Roster status:Practice squad
Career NFL statistics as of Week 5, 2024
Receptions:26
Receiving yards:335
Receiving average:12.9
Receiving touchdowns:5
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Brandon Edward Johnson (born July 26, 1998) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Tennessee and UCF.

Early life

Johnson attended and played high school football at American Heritage School.[1]

College career

Tennessee

Johnson started his collegiate career at the University of Tennessee. He played there from 2016–2020 under head coaches Butch Jones and Jeremy Pruitt.[2][3] He totaled 79 receptions for 969 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown to go along with a punt return touchdown in his time as a Volunteer.[4][5]

UCF

Johnson transferred to UCF for the 2021 season.[6] He totaled 38 receptions for 565 receiving yards and a team-leading 11 receiving touchdowns.[7]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 2+3⁄8 in
(1.89 m) 		195 lb
(88 kg) 		32+3⁄8 in
(0.82 m) 		9+7⁄8 in
(0.25 m)		 4.61 s 1.63 s 2.64 s 4.52 s 7.62 s 35.0 in
(0.89 m)		 9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)
All values from Pro Day[8]

Denver Broncos

On April 30, 2022, the Denver Broncos signed Johnson as an undrafted free agent.[9] On August 30, Johnson was waived with an injury settlement after suffering an ankle sprain.[10] On October 18, Johnson re–signed with the Broncos, and joined the team's practice squad.[11] On November 19, Johnson was elevated to the active roster.[12] On November 20, Johnson made his NFL debut against the Las Vegas Raiders totalling one reception for two yards in the 22–16 loss.[13] On November 21, Johnson was reverted back to the practice squad.[14] On November 26, Johnson was elevated to the active roster.[15] In Week 12, against the Carolina Panthers, he scored his first NFL touchdown on a one-yard reception in the 23–10 loss.[16] In his rookie season, Johnson appeared in seven games and recorded six receptions for 42 receiving yards and one touchdown.[17]

In Week 2 of the 2023 season against the Washington Commanders, with the Broncos trailing 35–27 with 3 seconds remaining in regulation, Johnson hauled in a 50-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass from Russell Wilson as time expired. However, Denver went on to lose the game 35–33 after failing to convert on the ensuing two-point conversion. This was controversial due to an uncalled pass interference penalty.[18] He was placed on injured reserve on October 28, 2023, after suffering a hamstring injury in practice.[19] He was activated on December 2.[20] He finished the 2023 season with 19 receptions for 284 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns in 13 games and two starts.[21]

On August 27, 2024, Johnson was waived by the Broncos.[22]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On August 28, 2024, Johnson was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad.[23]

Personal life

His father, Charles Johnson, played in Major League Baseball.[24]

Johnson's cousin is former Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots receiver Chad Johnson.[25]

References

  1. ^ "Brandon Johnson, American Heritage, Wide Receiver". 247Sports. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  2. ^ "Brandon Johnson College Stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  3. ^ "Tennessee Volunteers Coaches". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  4. ^ "Brandon Johnson - Football". University of Tennessee Athletics. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  5. ^ "Chattanooga at Tennessee Box Score, September 14, 2019". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  6. ^ Toppmeyer, Blake (January 13, 2021). "Former Tennessee football receiver Brandon Johnson lands at UCF". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  7. ^ "2021 UCF Knights Stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  8. ^ "2022 NFL Draft Scout Brandon Johnson College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  9. ^ Payne, Scotty (April 30, 2022). "Broncos UDFA Tracker: Undrafted free agent signings 2022". Mile High Report. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  10. ^ Payne, Scotty (August 30, 2022). "Broncos cuts: Rookie wide receiver Brandon Johnson has been placed on the injured reserve". Mile High Report. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  11. ^ Heath, Jon (October 18, 2022). "Broncos bring back WR Brandon Johnson on the practice squad". Broncos Wire. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  12. ^ "Broncos' Brandon Johnson: Gets call-up from practice squad". CBSSports.com. November 19, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  13. ^ "Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos - November 20th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  14. ^ "Brandon Johnson: Heading back to practice squad". CBSSports.com. November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  15. ^ DiLalla, Aric (November 26, 2022). "Broncos promote RB Devine Ozigbo to active roster, elevate WR Brandon Johnson and CB Faion Hicks for matchup vs. Panthers". Denver Broncos. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  16. ^ "Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers - November 27th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  17. ^ "Brandon Johnson 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  18. ^ Breech, John (September 18, 2023). "Russell Wilson throws wild 50-yard Hail Mary on final play only for Broncos to suffer controversial loss". CBSSports.com. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  19. ^ DiLalla, Aric (October 28, 2023). "Broncos elevate WR Tre'Quan Smith for Week 8, place WR Brandon Johnson on IR". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  20. ^ Alper, Josh (December 2, 2023). "Broncos elevate Ben DiNucci, activate Brandon Johnson". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  21. ^ "Brandon Johnson 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  22. ^ DiLalla, Aric (August 27, 2024). "Broncos make series of roster moves to reach 53-player limit". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  23. ^ Strackbein, Noah (August 29, 2024). "Steelers Sign Eight Players to Practice Squad". Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  24. ^ Fleser, Dan (August 24, 2018). "Vols' Brandon Johnson gets good advice from his MLB All-Star dad about coaching change". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  25. ^ Murschel, Matt (April 5, 2021). "Ochocinco's cousin Brandon Johnson hopes to live up to UCF's 'storied wide receiver tradition'". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 16, 2024.