D. J. Johnson Bio
D. J. Johnson (born October 21, 1998) is an American professional football linebacker who plays in the National Football League. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes and the Oregon Ducks before being selected by the Carolina Panthers as the 80th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 118 kilograms, Johnson has drawn attention for his rare blend of size and athletic versatility, having lined up on both the defensive line and at tight end during his college career. His path from a highly recruited Sacramento prep star to an NFL draft selection reflects steady development and adaptability on the field.
Early Life and Background
D. J. Johnson grew up in Sacramento, California, where he attended Luther Burbank High School. As a senior, he delivered a dominant season on the defensive side of the ball, recording 85 tackles, 14.5 sacks, and 31 tackles for loss, numbers that established him as one of the most disruptive high school defenders in the region. His production in the trenches drew attention from college programs across the country, and he was rated as a four-star recruit by major scouting services. Johnson ultimately committed to play college football at Miami, turning down scholarship offers from a deep list of programs that included Washington, Alabama, USC, Florida, Georgia, Oregon, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.
Path to American Football
Johnson’s progression from a heavily recruited high school defender to a professional linebacker began with his commitment to the Miami Hurricanes. The opportunity to compete in a Power Five conference and the developmental structure within the Miami program shaped his early football foundation. After one season with the Hurricanes, Johnson made the decision to leave the program with the intent to transfer, opening a new chapter in his development. That decision ultimately led him to Oregon, where his physical profile and pass-rushing instincts would be refined over several seasons and where he would expand his role on offense.
D. J. Johnson Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
D. J. Johnson began his college career at the University of Miami during the 2017 season. As a freshman, he appeared in eight games and made three tackles, providing an early glimpse of his potential as a defensive contributor. Following that debut season, Johnson left the program with the intention of transferring, seeking a fresh environment in which to continue his development. He ultimately landed at Oregon, where NCAA transfer rules required him to sit out the regular season of his first year with the Ducks before returning to the field.
Oregon Breakthrough (2019–2022)
Johnson returned to action as a redshirt sophomore and quickly made his presence felt. He played in 13 games during that season and finished with 14 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two sacks, demonstrating the pass-rushing ability that had made him a prized recruit out of high school. In 2020, the Oregon coaching staff made an unconventional decision, moving Johnson to tight end to take advantage of his size and athleticism. He responded with 10 receptions for 113 yards and three touchdowns that season, showcasing a versatility that set him apart from most college defenders.
As a redshirt senior, Johnson continued in a hybrid role, playing both defensive end and tight end. On defense, he recorded 11 tackles with two tackles for loss and one sack, while on offense he added one reception for 11 yards. When the NCAA granted college athletes an extra year of eligibility in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnson elected to use it and returned to Oregon for a fifth year, further polishing his game and adding experience that would later appeal to NFL evaluators.
Carolina Panthers Era (2023–Present)
Johnson’s college résumé, headlined by his rare two-way contributions, caught the attention of NFL scouts, and the Carolina Panthers traded up to the 80th overall pick to select him in the 2023 NFL Draft. The move signaled the organization’s belief in his athletic upside and positional flexibility as he transitioned to the linebacker position at the professional level. Johnson spent his first two seasons working to carve out a role within the Panthers’ defensive scheme.
On January 2, 2025, Johnson was involved in a two-car collision in Charlotte, North Carolina, that resulted in a concussion. He was subsequently placed on Carolina’s Non-Football Injury list and ruled out for the team’s season finale against the Atlanta Falcons. He finished that season having appeared in 14 games with two starts, recording 1 pass deflection, 1 fumble recovery, 0.5 sacks, and 44 combined tackles. On September 30, 2025, Johnson was waived by the Panthers, opening a new chapter in his professional career.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 4 inches and 118 kilograms, Johnson brings a rare combination of length, mass, and athleticism to the linebacker position. His background as a defensive lineman and tight end at Oregon gave him a strong grasp of leverage, hand use, and route concepts, traits that allow him to contribute in multiple phases of defense. His pass-rushing instincts, developed during his years as an edge defender, give him disruptive potential off the edge, while his experience in coverage routes as a college tight end aids his understanding of offensive tendencies.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Johnson’s career came when the Carolina Panthers traded up to draft him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, validating his unusual college trajectory. His 2020 conversion to tight end at Oregon, during which he caught three touchdowns, stands as a signature illustration of his athletic versatility. The January 2025 automobile collision and his subsequent placement on the NFI list marked the most sobering off-field event of his young professional career.
D. J. Johnson Career Wins
As a defensive player and tight end throughout his college and early professional career, D. J. Johnson’s statistical milestones are measured in tackles, sacks, and receptions rather than traditional win-loss totals. His senior season at Luther Burbank High School, featuring 85 tackles, 14.5 sacks, and 31 tackles for loss, represented one of the most productive individual defensive campaigns of his career. At the professional level, his two starts and 44 combined tackles during the 2024 NFL season reflect a steadily expanding role before his 2025 departure from Carolina.
College Highlights
During his redshirt sophomore season at Oregon, Johnson recorded 14 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two sacks across 13 games, establishing himself as an ascending defender. The following year, his move to tight end produced 10 receptions for 113 yards and three touchdowns, an unusually productive offensive output for a player whose primary identity was as a defensive lineman. In his redshirt senior season, Johnson split time between defensive end and tight end, tallying 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack on defense along with one reception for 11 yards on offense.
Other Performances
At Luther Burbank High School, Johnson’s senior-year production of 85 tackles, 14.5 sacks, and 31 tackles for loss established him as a four-star recruit and one of the top defensive prospects in the Sacramento region. His freshman season at Miami, in which he recorded three tackles across eight games, provided an early collegiate foundation before his transfer to Oregon reshaped his career path.
D. J. Johnson Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Football runs deep in the Johnson household. D. J. Johnson’s brother, P. J. Johnson, was selected by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft, making them one of the few sibling pairs to reach the professional ranks. The family’s support and shared football background helped shape D. J. Johnson’s development from a Sacramento high school standout into a third-round NFL draft choice.
Personal Life
D. J. Johnson was born and raised in Sacramento, California, the same city where he attended Luther Burbank High School and built his early football reputation. Beyond the documented connection to his brother P. J., little additional public detail about his personal life has been confirmed. Johnson has focused much of his public profile on his professional football career and his recovery following the early 2025 automobile collision in Charlotte, North Carolina.
2025 Season Performance
D. J. Johnson’s 2025 NFL season began with continued development in the Carolina Panthers’ linebacker group following two seasons of rotational play. His progress was interrupted on January 2, 2025, when a two-car collision in Charlotte, North Carolina resulted in a concussion, leading to his placement on the team’s Non-Football Injury list and ruling him out for the season finale against the Atlanta Falcons. He closed the prior campaign with 14 games played, two starts, 44 combined tackles, one pass deflection, one fumble recovery, and half a sack.
On September 30, 2025, the Panthers waived Johnson, ending his initial tenure with the organization that drafted him. The move opened an immediate free-agent window during which Johnson became available to sign with any NFL club seeking linebacker depth. His combination of size, prior defensive end experience, and rare tight end background made him an intriguing option for teams in need of versatile defenders.
Looking ahead, Johnson’s priority will be securing a roster spot and continuing his recovery from the early 2025 concussion. His college résumé, which includes meaningful production as both a pass rusher and a pass catcher, gives him a broad skill set to offer any defensive coordinator. If he returns to full health, his path back into a meaningful professional role could resume before the end of the 2025 campaign or in the following offseason.