Collin Johnson Bio
Collin Johnson (born September 23, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver who has spent time with multiple National Football League franchises. He played college football at the University of Texas, where he developed into a reliable playmaker before declaring for the NFL Draft. Standing at 6 feet 6 inches, Johnson was the tallest wide receiver in the NFL as of 2020.
The son of College Football Hall of Fame cornerback Johnnie Johnson, Collin Johnson grew up surrounded by the traditions of the game. After stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, and Chicago Bears, he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025, continuing a career built on size, physicality, and a willingness to do the dirty work in the trenches.
Early Life and Background
Collin Johnson was born on September 23, 1997, in Los Angeles, California, before his family eventually settled in the San Jose area. He attended Valley Christian High School in San Jose, where he played wide receiver and emerged as a promising young talent despite injury setbacks. As a senior, he eclipsed 1,100 receiving yards, drawing scholarship offers from programs including USC, Arizona State, Utah, Rutgers, Cal, and TCU.
His older brother, Kirk Johnson, also played football, and the two brothers committed to the University of Texas together on April 17, 2014. Collin’s sister, Camille, was a javelin thrower on the Texas track and field team in 2018 and 2019, making the Johnson family one of the most athletic in the Longhorns’ recent history. Their father, Johnnie Johnson, had a distinguished football career of his own, playing cornerback at Texas before spending ten seasons in the NFL.
Path to American Football
Johnson’s path to professional football began in earnest at Valley Christian, where his combination of size, hands, and route-running ability caught the attention of college recruiters. Although injuries limited him during his sophomore and senior seasons, he still managed to record more than 1,100 yards as a senior, solidifying his status as a high-level recruit. By the winter of his sophomore year, he had already accumulated scholarship offers from USC, Arizona State, Utah, Rutgers, Cal, and TCU.
He committed to Texas on April 17, 2014, alongside his older brother Kirk, who was a running back and a year Collin’s senior. The decision to play together at the same program helped lay the foundation for a successful college career. Collin Johnson went on to play in every game as a freshman and started one, signaling his early readiness for higher competition.
Collin Johnson Career
Early Career (2017-2019)
At the University of Texas, Collin Johnson quickly worked his way into a meaningful role within the Longhorns’ offense. He started nine games as a sophomore and finished the season with 54 catches, establishing himself as one of the team’s most reliable targets. As a junior, he posted a career-high 191 receiving yards against USC, including 47 yards on a go-ahead touchdown reception that demonstrated his big-play ability.
Following a brief stretch where he was replaced atop the depth chart by Dorian Leonard, Johnson used the experience as motivation. He returned for his senior season sharper and more disciplined, earning preseason watchlist recognition for the Walter Camp Award, the Wuerffel Award, and the Biletnikoff Award. He recorded 124 yards and several acrobatic catches against TCU in week four, which earned him National Player of the Week accolades.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2020-2021)
Johnson entered the NFL when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him in the fifth round with the 165th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. The pick was acquired by Jacksonville in a trade that sent Dante Fowler to the Los Angeles Rams. Johnson quickly made an impact as a rookie, recording his first career touchdown reception in Week 5 against the Houston Texans, finishing the game with three catches for 30 yards.
His best statistical performance of the season came in Week 11 against the Cleveland Browns, when he recorded four catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. On that play, Jaguars quarterback Mike Glennon connected with Johnson on a 46-yard pass that resulted in a score. Johnson was placed on injured reserve on January 2, 2021, and was later waived by the Jaguars on August 31, 2021.
New York Giants Era (2021-2023)
On September 1, 2021, Johnson was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants, providing him with another opportunity to compete for a roster spot. His time with the Giants was disrupted, however, when he suffered a torn Achilles tendon and was placed on injured reserve on August 24, 2022. The injury kept him sidelined for the better part of the 2022 season.
Johnson was released by the Giants on August 27, 2023, ending his time with the organization. Despite the injury setback, his work ethic and physical tools kept him on NFL radars, and he was soon picked up by another franchise.
Chicago Bears Era (2023-2024)
On October 10, 2023, Johnson was signed to the practice squad of the Chicago Bears, marking the beginning of his tenure in the NFC North. He was signed to the active roster on January 3, 2024, giving him a chance to finish the season with the Bears. Although his role was limited, he contributed in multiple phases of the game.
Johnson was waived by the Bears on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on November 20, 2024, and went on to play in nine games that season. During that stretch, he recorded one reception for six yards and added five tackles, showing his willingness to contribute on special teams and in blocking roles.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2025)
On May 1, 2025, Collin Johnson signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, joining a new organization and continuing his professional journey. His time with the Raiders was brief, as he was released on August 25, 2025, but the signing reflected the league’s continued interest in his physical profile and developmental upside.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable performances of Collin Johnson’s career came during the 2018 Big 12 Championship Game, when he set the title game record for receiving yards with 177. The game came shortly after he was excluded from the All-Big 12 team, providing him with additional motivation. His performance against TCU in week four of his senior season, when he posted 124 yards and several acrobatic catches, also earned him National Player of the Week accolades. He was also recognized as the tallest wide receiver in the NFL as of 2020.
Collin Johnson Career Wins
Across his professional career, Collin Johnson has recorded two NFL touchdown receptions, both coming during his rookie season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. His first score came against the Houston Texans in Week 5 of the 2020 season, while his second came against the Cleveland Browns in Week 11, a 46-yard strike from quarterback Mike Glennon. While his offensive production has fluctuated, he has consistently contributed as a blocker and on special teams.
Jacksonville Jaguars Highlights
During his time with the Jaguars, Johnson established himself as a developmental pass-catcher with starter-level size. His first career touchdown in Week 5 of the 2020 season marked a significant early milestone. His Week 11 performance against the Cleveland Browns, when he posted 96 receiving yards and a touchdown, remains one of the strongest statistical showings of his career.
Collin Johnson Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
The Johnson family has deep roots in football, beginning with Collin’s father, Johnnie Johnson, who played cornerback at Texas before spending a decade in the NFL. Johnnie Johnson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007, giving Collin an elite pedigree to draw from as he developed. Collin’s older brother, Kirk Johnson, played running back at Texas from 2015 to 2019, while his sister Camille was a javelin thrower on the Texas track and field team in 2018 and 2019.
Personal Life
On June 26, 2020, Collin Johnson proposed to his girlfriend since high school, Sara Machado, and the couple is engaged. Johnson stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 220 pounds, measurements that help define his role as a sizable, physical wide receiver. He maintains an active presence on social media, where fans can follow his career and off-field activities.
2025 Season Performance
Collin Johnson began 2025 by signing with the Las Vegas Raiders on May 1, hoping to carve out a role in a new offensive system. He participated in offseason activities and training camp with the Raiders, continuing to develop his craft as a depth receiver and special teams contributor. His release on August 25, 2025, brought his time with the Raiders to an end, leaving his next career move open.
Throughout 2025, Johnson remained focused on refining his blocking technique and route-running efficiency, both of which had become trademarks of his professional profile. He was widely respected in locker rooms for his work ethic and team-first mentality. As the year progressed, Johnson continued training in the hopes of securing another opportunity within the NFL.
Looking ahead, Johnson’s combination of size, experience, and versatility should make him an attractive option for teams in need of wide receiver depth. His ability to contribute on special teams and as a blocker adds to his value beyond pure receiving statistics. Whether the next chapter unfolds in 2025 or beyond, Collin Johnson’s football journey remains one defined by perseverance and family heritage.