Eric Johnson Bio
Eric Morris Johnson II (born July 16, 1998) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 145 kilograms, he plays on the interior of the defensive line and has developed into a rotational contributor since entering the league in 2022.
A native of Normal, Illinois, Johnson played college football for the Missouri State Bears before being selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He has also spent time with the New England Patriots and has continued to build his professional resume along the defensive front.
Early Life and Background
Eric Morris Johnson II was born on July 16, 1998, in Normal, Illinois, in the United States. He grew up in Normal before later relocating with his family to Plainfield, Illinois, a southwestern suburb of Chicago. The move placed him in a community with a strong high school football tradition, which helped shape his early development as a defensive lineman.
Johnson attended Plainfield South High School, where he played high school football and began attracting attention from college recruiters. His size and physicality along the defensive line made him a prospect worth developing, and his path ultimately led him to the Missouri State Bears program. That opportunity marked the next step in his progression from a high school standout to a college-level defensive tackle.
Path to American Football
Johnson committed to Missouri State University, joining a Bears program that competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level. He spent six seasons with the program and redshirted his true freshman year, preserving a year of eligibility while adjusting to the demands of college football.
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the 2020 season, the NCAA granted athletes an extra year of eligibility. Johnson chose to use that extra year and returned to Missouri State for a sixth season. The decision allowed him to further refine his technique, build strength, and add depth to his resume as a pass rusher and run defender before declaring for the NFL.
In his final collegiate season, Johnson was named second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference. That year he recorded 43 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 3 blocked kicks, demonstrating his ability to disrupt plays at the line of scrimmage. His production over six seasons at Missouri State positioned him as a Day 3 prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Eric Johnson Career
Early Career (2022-2023)
Eric Morris Johnson II was selected in the fifth round with the 159th overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2022 NFL Draft. The selection marked his transition from a multi-year contributor at Missouri State to a professional defensive tackle in one of the league’s most demanding defensive schemes. He joined a Colts defensive line that was in the middle of a transition and looked to add depth along the interior.
Over his first two seasons with Indianapolis, Johnson worked to earn a consistent role along the defensive front, contributing on early downs and in rotational packages. He appeared in games for the Colts in 2022 and 2023 before the team made a roster decision at the end of the 2024 preseason. On August 27, 2024, the Colts waived him, opening the door for a new opportunity elsewhere in the league.
New England Patriots Era (2024-2025)
Shortly after being waived by Indianapolis, Johnson was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots on August 28, 2024. The move gave him a fresh start within an organization that has historically emphasized strong defensive line play. He joined the Patriots’ defensive front and worked to carve out a role during the 2024 regular season.
Johnson remained with New England into the 2025 offseason as the team evaluated its defensive line depth chart. On May 14, 2025, the Patriots waived him, concluding his tenure with the franchise. Although his time in New England was brief, the experience exposed him to another defensive system and gave him additional regular-season reps.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2025-Present)
Just one day after being waived by New England, Johnson was claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts on May 15, 2025, returning to the organization that originally drafted him. The familiar surroundings and existing knowledge of the team’s defensive scheme made the reunion a logical fit for both sides as they prepared for training camp.
Heading into the 2025 season, Johnson is expected to compete for a roster spot and a rotational role along the Colts’ interior defensive line. His prior familiarity with the team’s terminology, coaching staff, and strength program gives him an advantage as he works to establish himself in the defensive line rotation.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Johnson’ early career is his selection as the 159th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, a milestone that validated six years of development at Missouri State. Being named second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference in his final collegiate season stands as another key accomplishment, while his return to Indianapolis in May 2025 marked the latest chapter in his professional journey.
Eric Johnson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Eric Morris Johnson II grew up in Normal, Illinois, before his family moved to Plainfield, Illinois. That relocation placed him in a community where he could pursue high school football at Plainfield South High School and continue his development as a defensive lineman. Public information about his immediate family remains limited.
Personal Life
Johnson was born on July 16, 1998, in Normal, Illinois, and holds United States nationality. He has kept much of his personal life private, with no widely confirmed public details about a spouse or children at this stage of his career. He continues to focus on his professional development as a defensive tackle in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents a reset for Eric Morris Johnson II, who returned to the Indianapolis Colts after being claimed off waivers on May 15, 2025. He rejoined a defensive line room with which he has prior familiarity, which should help him get up to speed quickly once training camp opens. The team’s decision to bring him back signals continued confidence in his upside as an interior defender.
Throughout the offseason, Johnson has worked to solidify his standing on the roster and compete for meaningful snaps in the defensive line rotation. His experience across two organizations in roughly three years has given him exposure to multiple defensive systems, and that versatility is a selling point as he vies for playing time.
As the regular season progresses, the focus for Johnson will be on consistently contributing in run defense and providing pressure from the interior. A strong showing in 2025 could cement his place in the Colts’ long-term plans and build on the foundation he has established since being drafted in 2022.