Lonnie Johnson Jr.

Lonnie Johnson Jr.
refer to caption
Johnson with the Tennessee Titans in 2022
No. 28 – Carolina Panthers
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1995-11-04) November 4, 1995 (age 29)
Gary, Indiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:213 lb (97 kg)
Career information
High school:West Side (Gary, Indiana)
College:
NFL draft:2019 / round: 2 / pick: 54
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 2, 2024
Total tackles:192
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:15
Interceptions:4
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Lonnie Johnson Jr. (born November 4, 1995)[1] is an American professional football cornerback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Kentucky.

Early life

Johnson attended West Side Leadership Academy in Gary, Indiana.[2] He originally committed to Ohio State University to play college football, but decommitted and went to San Bernardino Valley College. Johnson later transferred to Garden City Community College.[3]

College career

Johnson attended San Bernardino Valley College in 2014 and played wide receiver and special teams. He attended Garden City in 2015 and 2016, but did not play in 2016 to concentrate on academics.[4] He transferred to the University of Kentucky in 2017.[5][6] In two seasons at Kentucky, he had 64 tackles and one interception.

Professional career

Johnson with the Texans in 2019
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 Bench press
6 ft 1+7⁄8 in
(1.88 m) 		213 lb
(97 kg) 		32+5⁄8 in
(0.83 m) 		9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		 4.48 s 1.58 s 2.66 s 4.10 s 7.01 s 38.0 in
(0.97 m)		 10 ft 9 in
(3.28 m)		 15 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[7][8][9]

Houston Texans (first stint)

Johnson was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round, 54th overall, of the 2019 NFL draft.[10] The Texans previously acquired the 54th overall pick from the Seattle Seahawks in a trade that sent Duane Brown to Seattle. On May 10, 2019, he signed his rookie contract.[11]

In the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Kansas City Chiefs, Johnson recovered a blocked punt and returned it for a 25-yard touchdown during the 51–31 loss. His ineffectiveness in covering Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, in part due to an injury sustained mid-game, was cited as one of the primary reasons for the Chiefs' historic comeback win.[12][13][14]

Kansas City Chiefs

On May 2, 2022, Johnson was traded to the Chiefs for a 2024 conditional seventh-round pick.[15] He was waived on August 15.[16]

Tennessee Titans

Johnson was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans on August 16, 2022.[17] He was placed on injured reserve on November 17,[18] and was activated on December 17.[19]

New Orleans Saints

On March 21, 2023, Johnson signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints.[20]

Houston Texans (second stint)

On March 15, 2024, Johnson signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans.[21] He was released during roster cuts on August 27, 2024.[22]

Carolina Panthers

On August 28, 2024, Johnson was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad.[23] He was promoted to the active roster on September 10.[24]

References

  1. ^ "Lonnie Johnson Jr. Stats, News, Bio". ESPN.
  2. ^ Joe Mussatto, SEC Country. "Gone from a dying city, Kentucky CB Lonnie Johnson finds life in Lexington". ajc.
  3. ^ Wasserman, Ari (November 12, 2013). "Wide receiver prospect Lonnie Johnson decommits from Ohio State's 2014 recruiting class: Buckeyes recruiting". cleveland.com.
  4. ^ Leach, Chris. "They're not in Kansas anymore: The journey from Kansas JUCOs to the Kentucky football team". The Kentucky Kernel.
  5. ^ "Junior college football player Lonnie Johnson commits to Kentucky | Lexington Herald-Leader". Archived from the original on December 16, 2016.
  6. ^ "New UK football player Lonnie Johnson knows 'where the money is' | Lexington Herald-Leader". Archived from the original on February 4, 2017.
  7. ^ "Lonnie Johnson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  8. ^ "2019 NFL Draft Scout Lonnie Johnson Jr. College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  9. ^ "Lonnie Johnson 2019 NFL Draft Profile". ESPN. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  10. ^ "2019 NFL Draft Results: Houston Texans Select Lonnie Johnson With The 54th Overall Pick". Battle Red Blog. SB Nation. April 26, 2019.
  11. ^ Boggs, Jamie (May 10, 2019). "Lonnie Johnson officially signs contract with Houston Texans". A Sea Of Blue.
  12. ^ "Chiefs rally from 24-0 hole to beat Texans 51-31 in playoffs". ESPN. Associated Press. January 12, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  13. ^ "Seven straight touchdown drives". SportsMap. January 12, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  14. ^ Heifetz, Danny (January 12, 2020). "The Chiefs Made a Historic Comeback Look Easy". The Ringer. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  15. ^ "Texans trade Lonnie Johnson Jr. to Chiefs". NBCSports.com.
  16. ^ "Chiefs waive four, officially sign Danny Shelton". NBCSports.com.
  17. ^ Wyatt, Jim (August 16, 2022). "Titans Claim DB Lonnie Johnson Jr. Off Waivers". TennesseeTitans.com.
  18. ^ Wyatt, Jim (November 17, 2022). "Titans Sign WR/Returner C.J. Board to 53-Man Roster, Place DB Lonnie Johnson Jr. on Injured Reserve". TennesseeTitans.com.
  19. ^ "Titans place RB Dontrell Hilliard, WR C.J. Board on IR". SportsNaut.com. December 17, 2022.
  20. ^ "New Orleans Saints agree to terms with defensive back Lonnie Johnson Jr. on one-year contract". NewOrleansSaints.com. March 21, 2023.
  21. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (03-15-2024)". HoustonTexans.com. March 15, 2024.
  22. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (08-27-2024)". HoustonTexans.com. August 27, 2024.
  23. ^ Gantt, Darin (August 29, 2024). "Panthers bring Jordan Matthews back to 53-man roster". Panthers.com.
  24. ^ Gantt, Darin (September 10, 2024). "Derrick Brown placed on injured reserve". Panthers.com.
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