Alex Johnson Bio
Alex Johnson (born October 11, 2000) is an American professional football cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing approximately 184 pounds, he plays the defensive back position at the professional level. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins and entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
A native of Southern California, Johnson has spent the early stages of his professional career moving between practice squads across the league. Since signing with the New York Giants in 2024, he has also spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans before joining the Los Angeles Rams in late 2025.
Early Life and Background
Early Life and Background
Alex Johnson was born on October 11, 2000, in Carson, California, in the United States. He grew up in the Los Angeles area and attended Loyola High School, a well-known Jesuit college preparatory school in the city. At Loyola, he developed as a multi-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball, and track and field.
His combination of size, speed, and football instincts made him an appealing recruit, and he initially received a scholarship offer to play football at the University of Montana. However, the offer was rescinded following a coaching change at the Montana program, forcing Johnson to reevaluate his options. He ultimately accepted a preferred walk-on opportunity at UCLA, keeping his dream of playing Division I football alive.
Johnson’s path to UCLA reflected his persistence and adaptability. Rather than letting the loss of his scholarship derail his plans, he chose to bet on himself at a major college football program close to home. That decision set the stage for his development into one of the Pac-12 Conference’s most productive defensive backs by the end of his college career.
Path to American Football
Path to American Football
Johnson’s path to professional football began with his walk-on commitment to UCLA. He joined the Bruins as an unheralded recruit but gradually earned the respect of the coaching staff through his work ethic in practice. After his second season with the program, UCLA rewarded that effort by offering him a scholarship, marking his first official recognition as a player to watch in the Pac-12.
Over the course of his college career, Johnson played in 55 games for the Bruins across six seasons. He appeared in one game in 2018, all twelve games in 2019, six games in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, ten games in 2021, and all thirteen games in both 2022 and 2023. By his senior year, he had grown from a depth piece into a full-time starter, beginning eight of UCLA’s thirteen games that season.
His breakout came during the 2023 season, when his five interceptions led the Pac-12 Conference. He also produced a fumble return touchdown against USC, a blocked punt against Stanford, and an interception in UCLA’s victory over Boise State in the LA Bowl. Johnson finished his college career with 55 tackles and 11 passes defensed, earning an honorable mention to the all-Pac-12 team in his senior year.
Alongside his athletic development, Johnson pursued his education seriously. He earned an undergraduate degree in political science from UCLA and later completed a master’s degree in transformative coaching and leadership at the same institution. His academic work underscored his long-term interest in leadership and player development beyond his playing days.
Alex Johnson Career
New York Giants (2024)
Entering the 2024 NFL draft, Johnson met with several teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, and Houston Texans. Despite those meetings, he went undrafted and signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent shortly after the draft. He was waived by the Giants on August 27, 2024, but was re-signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. His time on the New York practice squad ended on October 1, 2024, when he was released.
Indianapolis Colts (2024–2025)
On October 5, 2024, Johnson signed with the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad. He remained with Indianapolis through the end of the 2024 season and signed a reserve/future contract with the Colts on January 6, 2025, securing his place on the team’s offseason roster. The Colts waived Johnson on August 25, 2025, ending his tenure with the franchise.
Tennessee Titans (2025)
Johnson signed with the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad on September 29, 2025. The Titans waived him on October 7, 2025, before re-signing him to the practice squad on October 15. He was waived again on November 4, 2025, as Tennessee reshaped its defensive depth chart.
Los Angeles Rams (2025–Present)
On November 19, 2025, Johnson signed with the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad, joining a defensive group with playoff aspirations. The move brought him back to Southern California, where he had grown up and starred at UCLA. He continues to work toward a permanent role on the Rams’ active roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Driving Style and Strengths
As a cornerback, Johnson’s game is built around coverage instincts, ball skills, and competitive toughness. His Pac-12-leading five interceptions in 2023 highlight his ability to read quarterbacks and attack the football at the catch point. His work on special teams at UCLA, including a blocked punt against Stanford, also demonstrates his willingness to contribute in multiple phases of the game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of Johnson’s career was his 2023 senior season at UCLA, when his five interceptions led the Pac-12 Conference. He capped that year with an interception in the LA Bowl win over Boise State, providing a strong finish to his college resume. Entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent and surviving multiple practice-squad moves across the Giants, Colts, and Titans also marks him as a determined young player in a crowded professional landscape.
Alex Johnson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Detailed information about Alex Johnson’s parents and broader family background has not been publicly confirmed. He has frequently cited the support of his family as a driving force behind his football journey, beginning with his time at Loyola High School in Los Angeles.
Personal Life
Personal Life
Johnson is not publicly known to be married, and no verified information about a spouse or children is available. He has spoken about his long-term interest in coaching and leadership, an interest reflected in his master’s degree in transformative coaching and leadership from UCLA.
2025 Season Performance
Alex Johnson’s 2025 season has been defined by perseverance through multiple transactions. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Indianapolis Colts in January 2025, giving him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot heading into training camp. The Colts ultimately waived him in late August, but his work with the staff helped lay the foundation for his next opportunity.
After joining the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad in late September, Johnson bounced on and off Tennessee’s practice squad roster throughout October and into early November. Each stop gave him a chance to sharpen his technique on the practice field, even as he worked to earn a promotion to the active roster. His path reflected the typical grind faced by undrafted defensive backs trying to establish themselves in the NFL.
By signing with the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad on November 19, 2025, Johnson landed with one of the most competitive defensive teams in the league. The Rams have historically relied on strong secondary play, and the move offered Johnson a fresh opportunity to prove himself in a winning environment. As the 2025 season progresses, he will look to translate his Pac-12 production into a sustained role in Los Angeles.
