This is the first in a series looking at potential 2023 NFL draft picks from the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University.
East English Village Prep had a Toledo draft pick one year ago, as cornerback Samuel Womack was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round.
Will history repeat itself in 2023? Magic 8-ball says, “Outlook good.”
Johnson was a first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection as a senior and a second-team All-MAC performer as a junior and sophomore. In his final two seasons, he tallied 135 total tackles — including 10 sacks and 19 tackles for loss — two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one interception.
It’s hard to imagine that type of production going undrafted.
Here is what to know about Johnson.
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 285 pounds
Hometown: Detroit (East English Village Prep)
Projected NFL position: Defensive tackle
What you’ll remember about him at UT: The reimagined Toledo defense, which started taking form in 2020 when Vince Kehres arrived, was a proving ground for Johnson, who was one of the unit’s biggest difference-makers over the past three seasons. He was constantly in the backfield, becoming a sack and tackle-for-loss monster. Not many UT defensive tackles have been better.
Key stats: In 54 career games, Johnson had 210 total tackles, 47 tackles for loss — the third-most in school history — and 15 sacks. He had double-digit tackles for loss in each of his last two seasons and was one of the highest-graded players by Pro Football Focus in 2022. At the East-West Shrine Bowl, Johnson was one of the breakout performers in practices and the game.
Career development: The three-star recruit played in nine games as a true freshman, finishing the season with 16 tackles. He took off in Year 2 with seven tackles for loss, then eight, then 12.5, then 16.5. Johnson got stronger each year and his technique became more sound. In his final two seasons, he was one of the top defensive linemen in the MAC, overshadowing some talented defensive ends. It was a surprise that he wasn’t invited to the NFL combine because of his stock and production. After showing out at the Shrine Bowl, Johnson became a popular interview subject for NFL franchises.
His future: Every scouting report discusses Johnson as being undersized for an NFL defensive tackle. Short arms are perhaps the biggest detriment. But Johnson didn’t load up on MAC teams, he played well against out-of-conference opponents as well. Versatility is another positive for Johnson, who is quick off the ball and should hear his name called in the fifth, sixth, or seventh round.
Quote: “Wins with quickness and agility against guards, and just overwhelms tight ends in pass protection. I project him as an early down defensive end in a four-down look, that kicks inside on passing downs as a pass rush threat. Very good player.” — Brett Kollman, The Film Room
First Published April 24, 2023, 6:25 p.m.
