Cedric Johnson Bio
Cedric Edward Johnson (born September 6, 2002) is an American professional football defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 265 pounds, Johnson plays on the edge of the defensive line and contributes as both a pass rusher and run defender. He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels before entering the NFL and was selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft. Johnson has continued to develop within the Bengals organization through his first two professional seasons.
Early Life and Background
Cedric Edward Johnson was born on September 6, 2002, in Mobile, Alabama. He grew up in the Mobile area and attended Davidson High School, where he developed into a prominent defensive prospect. The Mobile region has a long tradition of producing football talent, and Johnson emerged as one of the standouts at Davidson during his high school years.
As a senior at Davidson High School, Johnson posted 56 tackles along with 16 sacks, numbers that drew attention from college recruiters across the Southeast. His combination of size, quickness, and finishing ability at the line of scrimmage made him a priority target for several college programs. Following his senior season, he committed to the University of Mississippi, choosing the Ole Miss Rebels to continue his football career.
Path to American Football
Johnson’s path to the NFL began on the fields of Mobile, where his high school production set the foundation for a college career at Ole Miss. His senior-year totals at Davidson gave him the visibility needed to secure a scholarship with the Rebels and prepared him for the jump to the Southeastern Conference. The move from high school to Power Five football represented a significant step up in competition.
At Ole Miss, Johnson transitioned gradually from a rotational role into a full-time starting position on the defensive line. He worked his way up the depth chart across multiple seasons, gaining experience against top-tier college competition. His development through the Rebels’ program ultimately positioned him for an invitation to the 2024 Senior Bowl, where he showcased his skills in front of NFL scouts and executives.
Cedric Johnson Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Johnson enrolled at the University of Mississippi and joined the Ole Miss Rebels ahead of the 2020 season. As a true freshman, he appeared in all 10 games, working primarily as a linebacker while recording seven tackles and three sacks. That early exposure allowed him to adjust to the speed and physicality of the college game while contributing on special teams and in reserve defensive packages.
In his sophomore season of 2021, Johnson moved to defensive end and started 11 of 13 games for the Rebels. He produced 33 tackles and 6.5 sacks, signaling his growth as an edge rusher. During his junior year in 2022, he started eight of 11 games and added 32 tackles with four sacks, continuing to build his résumé as a pass-rushing threat on the outside.
Senior Season and Senior Bowl (2023)
Johnson returned to Ole Miss for his senior season in 2023, where he served as a veteran presence on the Rebels’ defensive front. His experience and production helped anchor the edge of the Ole Miss defense throughout the year. Following the conclusion of his collegiate career, he received an invitation to the 2024 Senior Bowl, one of the premier pre-draft showcases for NFL prospects.
At the Senior Bowl, Johnson had the opportunity to test his skills against many of the top senior prospects in the country. His performance in the week of practices and the game itself helped solidify his draft stock heading into the spring.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2024–Present)
Johnson was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round, 214th overall, of the 2024 NFL draft. He joined a Bengals defensive line that was looking to add depth and rotational pass-rush help. During his rookie campaign, Johnson appeared in nine games for Cincinnati, recording one sack along with seven combined tackles while adjusting to the professional game.
In 2025, Johnson began the season on injured reserve because of a calf injury. He was activated on October 31, 2025, ahead of the Bengals’ Week 9 matchup against the Chicago Bears. His return added another edge-rushing option to the Cincinnati defense heading into the middle portion of the schedule.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the early milestones of Johnson’s career, his selection in the 2024 NFL draft stands as a defining moment, marking his transition from a college rotational player to a professional defensive end. The invitation to the 2024 Senior Bowl also represented a significant achievement, recognizing his body of work at Ole Miss. His first NFL sack during the 2024 rookie season provided an early highlight at the professional level.
Cedric Johnson Career Wins
Cedric Edward Johnson’s career is still in its early stages, and his statistical résumé is built around college production and his rookie NFL season rather than a long list of professional victories. Across his time at Davidson High School and Ole Miss, he consistently produced as a pass rusher, and his senior-year totals of 56 tackles and 16 sacks remain among his most decorated prep performances. At the professional level, his first NFL sack and steady rotational snaps as a rookie offered a glimpse of his long-term potential with the Bengals.
Ole Miss Rebels Highlights
During his four seasons with the Ole Miss Rebels, Johnson built a steady record of production as a defensive end. He recorded seven tackles and three sacks as a freshman linebacker in 2020, then elevated his play as a sophomore with 33 tackles and 6.5 sacks while starting 11 of 13 games. His junior campaign added 32 tackles and four sacks, and his senior season in 2023 helped him earn an invitation to the 2024 Senior Bowl, capping his collegiate career on a positive note.
Cedric Johnson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Information about Cedric Edward Johnson’s immediate family background is not widely documented in public sources. He grew up in Mobile, Alabama, and developed his football skills at Davidson High School, a program with a strong local tradition. Further details about his parents or extended family have not been publicly verified.
Personal Life
Johnson focuses primarily on his professional football career with the Cincinnati Bengals. Public information about his personal relationships, marital status, or family life outside of football is limited. He remains active on social media, where fans can follow his updates through his official accounts.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season presented an early challenge for Cedric Edward Johnson, as he began the year on injured reserve because of a calf injury. The setback kept him sidelined through the opening portion of the Bengals’ schedule and limited his opportunity to build on his rookie-year momentum. His absence created a need for additional depth along the Cincinnati defensive line during the first eight weeks of the season.
On October 31, 2025, Johnson was activated from injured reserve ahead of the Bengals’ Week 9 matchup against the Chicago Bears. His return provided the defensive staff with another edge-rushing option as the team moved into the second half of the season. The timing of his activation gave him a chance to contribute during a stretch of games that often shapes postseason positioning.
Looking ahead, Johnson will aim to re-establish himself as a consistent contributor in Cincinnati’s defensive rotation. With his rookie experience and a full offseason of professional preparation now behind him, his remaining 2025 appearances will serve as an important measure of his development. Continued health and steady production could position him for a larger role within the Bengals’ defensive plans moving forward.