Austin Johnson Bio
Austin Hunter Johnson (born May 8, 1994) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and listed at 314 pounds, he has built a steady career as an interior lineman since entering the league in 2016. Johnson played college football at Penn State and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft.
Across his career, Johnson has also played for the New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, and Buffalo Bills, earning a reputation as a durable run-defender and rotational defender. He was recognized as a Second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2015 during his final college season. Married to former Lingerie Football League player Danika Brace, Johnson continues to compete at the NFL level into the 2025 season.
Early Life and Background
Austin Hunter Johnson was born in Galloway Township, New Jersey, to parents Austin and Tammy Johnson. He is the third of four children, with two older sisters and one younger sister. Johnson grew up in a close-knit family and attended St. Augustine Preparatory School in Richland, New Jersey, where he originally planned to focus on basketball rather than football.
At St. Augustine Prep, Johnson played both basketball and football, and he earned all-state accolades in basketball as a senior. The school’s football coach eventually convinced Johnson to try out for the gridiron, which set him on an entirely new athletic path. He quickly developed into a strong defensive line prospect and drew recruiting interest from several major college programs.
Johnson was recruited by Penn State defensive line coach Larry Johnson, who played a central role in guiding him to commit to the Nittany Lions. That bond proved important when Penn State faced crippling NCAA sanctions in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal and a coaching change that brought Bill O’Brien to the program. Johnson maintained his commitment and arrived in State College ready to work.
Path to Professional Football
Johnson redshirted his freshman season at Penn State before entering training camp in 2013 eager to make an impact on the defensive line. He established himself as a candidate to start opposite DaQuan Jones, who was the Nittany Lions’ star defensive tackle that season. Mentored by Larry Johnson, Jones, and Jordan Hill, Austin Johnson earned a spot in the defensive tackle rotation alongside Jones and Kyle Baublitz. By the end of 2013, he was named to the freshman all-conference teams by both ESPN.com and the Big Ten Network.
Entering his redshirt sophomore season in 2014, Johnson was firmly established on the defensive line alongside converted defensive end Anthony Zettel. Penn State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop described him as a consummate Penn State defensive tackle, drawing comparisons to Jones and Jack Crawford. Although early-season statistics were modest, head coach James Franklin highlighted Johnson’s athleticism at 315 pounds, noting that he could “wreck” an opponent’s game. Four games into the 2014 season, Penn State boasted the best rush defense in the country, which Franklin largely attributed to Johnson’s efforts. Off the field, Johnson majored in business administration at Penn State.
Following his 2015 junior campaign, which ended with Second-team All-Big Ten honors, Johnson declared for the 2016 NFL draft. Most scouts and analysts projected him as a second-round pick, and he was invited to the NFL Combine where he completed all drills and positional workouts. Scouts from 31 NFL teams attended Penn State’s pro day, where Johnson chose to perform only positional drills. NFLDraftScout.com ranked him as the ninth-best defensive tackle, while Sports Illustrated ranked him 14th at his position and 80th overall.
Austin Johnson Career
Tennessee Titans Era (2016-2019)
The Tennessee Titans selected Johnson in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2016 NFL draft. He was the sixth defensive tackle drafted and the first of five Penn State players selected that year. On May 9, 2016, the Titans signed him to a four-year, $5.66 million contract that included $3.02 million in guarantees and a $2.31 million signing bonus. Johnson entered training camp competing for the starting nose tackle position with Al Woods and Antwaun Woods, and he was named the backup nose tackle behind veteran Al Woods to begin the regular season.
Johnson made his NFL debut in the Titans’ season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, recording one tackle in a 25-16 loss. During a Week 11 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, he tallied two solo tackles and was credited with half a sack on Andrew Luck in a 24-17 road loss. On December 18, 2016, he posted a season-high four combined tackles in a narrow 19-17 road victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. As a rookie, Johnson appeared in 10 games and finished with 15 tackles and half a sack. In the 2019 season, he appeared in 16 games with one start, recording 23 total tackles with no sacks for the first time in his career.
New York Giants Era (2020-2021)
On March 30, 2020, Johnson was signed by the New York Giants. In Week 4 against the Los Angeles Rams, he recorded his first sack and forced fumble as a Giant during a 17-9 loss. Johnson re-signed with the Giants on March 17, 2021, and went on to start all 17 games that season. He set a career high with 72 tackles while adding 3.5 sacks, establishing himself as a reliable interior presence in New York’s defensive rotation.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2022-2023)
On March 16, 2022, Johnson signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. He suffered a knee injury in Week 9 and was placed on injured reserve on November 9, cutting short his first season in Los Angeles. Johnson returned healthy in 2023 and started all 17 games, recording 46 tackles, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble while serving as a steady contributor on the Chargers’ defensive front.
Buffalo Bills Era (2024)
On March 28, 2024, Johnson signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills. He quickly became a contributor on the defensive line and recorded his first NFL interception on October 27, 2024, catching a deflected pass from Geno Smith of the Seattle Seahawks. That interception was notable because it marked Johnson’s first ever interception at any level of football.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2025-Present)
On August 4, 2025, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Johnson, adding veteran depth to their defensive tackle group. His experience across multiple defensive schemes made him a valuable late-summer addition for Jacksonville. Johnson joined the Jaguars ahead of the 2025 regular season and is expected to compete for a rotational role along the interior of the defensive line.
Driving Style and Strengths
Johnson’s game is built on leverage, length, and run-defense fundamentals. He has been praised by coaches throughout his career for his athleticism at his size, his football IQ, and his ability to occupy double teams against the run. Coaches have consistently highlighted his positive approach in practice, his smile, and his willingness to do the unglamorous work in the trenches. As a veteran, he brings positional versatility, the ability to play nose tackle or three-technique, and a steady presence in the locker room.
Notable Events and Milestones
Johnson’s career is highlighted by his second-round selection in the 2016 NFL draft, his freshman all-conference recognition in 2013, and his 2015 Second-team All-Big Ten honor at Penn State. In the NFL, his first NFL sack and forced fumble came as a New York Giant in 2020, while his first career interception came against the Seattle Seahawks while playing for the Buffalo Bills in 2024. Setting a career high with 72 tackles and 3.5 sacks during the 2021 season with the Giants stands as one of his most productive individual seasons.
Austin Johnson Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Johnson was raised by his father, Austin Johnson, and his mother, Tammy Johnson, in Galloway Township, New Jersey, where he grew up alongside two older sisters and one younger sister. His upbringing in a supportive family environment helped shape the disciplined approach that carried him from St. Augustine Prep to Penn State and into the NFL. The relationship he built with Penn State defensive line coach Larry Johnson, who shares a last name but is not a family relation, played a significant role in his recruitment and development.
Johnson is married to Danika Brace, a former player in the Lingerie Football League. The couple has been together through much of his professional career and has supported his transitions between NFL cities. Johnson keeps much of his private life out of the spotlight, focusing publicly on his work on the field and his family ties to New Jersey.
2025 Season Performance
Johnson entered the 2025 NFL calendar as a free agent after spending the 2024 season with the Buffalo Bills. The Jacksonville Jaguars signed him on August 4, 2025, giving the veteran defensive tackle a chance to contribute on a young defensive line. His signing came late in the offseason, leaving him a short window to learn Jacksonville’s scheme before the regular season opener.
Throughout the 2025 season, Johnson has been counted on to provide veteran depth and run-defense stability at defensive tackle. His experience starting all 17 games for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023 and the New York Giants in 2021 made him a reliable option for a Jaguars front seeking physicality in the trenches. Coaches have leaned on his track record of durability and his willingness to do the dirty work between the tackles.
Looking forward, Johnson’s role in Jacksonville depends on his health and how quickly he carves out a defined role in the rotation. With more than a decade of NFL experience now behind him, he remains a steady presence whose leadership and positional versatility continue to add value to a Jaguars defense aiming to compete in the AFC South.