Raymond Johnson III Bio
Raymond Johnson III (born October 21, 1998) is an American professional football defensive end. He played college football for the Georgia Southern Eagles before beginning his National Football League career. Johnson has spent time with multiple franchises, working primarily as an edge rusher and a contributor on special teams and defensive rotations. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and listed around 265 pounds, he has built a journeyman resume since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Raymond Johnson III was born on October 21, 1998, in Columbia, South Carolina. He grew up in the state and attended Sumter High School, where he developed into a college-level prospect on the defensive line. His time in South Carolina shaped his early football identity and prepared him for a scholarship opportunity at the Football Bowl Subdivision level.
Coming out of high school, Johnson drew attention from Sun Belt Conference programs for his combination of size, length, and motor off the edge. He committed to Georgia Southern University, located in Statesboro, Georgia, joining a program with a strong tradition of developing defensive linemen. His pathway from Sumter to a four-year college program marked the first major step in his football journey.
Path to American Football
Johnson enrolled at Georgia Southern and worked his way up the depth chart across four seasons with the Eagles. He appeared in games as an underclassman before settling into a starting role on the edge, where he produced consistently against Sun Belt competition. His combination of run defense and pass-rush ability helped him become a leader on the defensive front.
During his junior season, Johnson earned second-team All-Sun Belt recognition, signaling his emergence as one of the conference’s top defensive ends. As a senior, he elevated his play further and was named first-team All-Sun Belt, recording 14.5 tackles for loss and five sacks in his final collegiate campaign. He finished his Georgia Southern career with 150 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, six fumble recoveries, five passes defended, and two forced fumbles.
Raymond Johnson III Career
Early Career (2021)
Johnson declared for the 2021 NFL Draft and went undrafted, but signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2021. He made the team’s 53-man roster out of training camp, a notable achievement for an undrafted rookie competing on a deep defensive line. In Week 11 of his rookie season, Johnson recorded his first career sack against Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Blaine Gabbert, providing a memorable early highlight.
Johnson remained with the Giants through the 2021 season but was waived on May 18, 2022, as the team reshaped its defensive line. The move ended his first NFL chapter and began a stretch of roster movement that would define his early professional career.
Cincinnati Bengals First Stint (2022–2023)
On July 25, 2022, Johnson signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. He was waived on August 30, 2022, as part of roster cutdowns, and was signed to the practice squad the following day. Johnson signed a reserve/future contract with Cincinnati on January 31, 2023, securing a path to compete for a roster spot the following training camp.
His time in Cincinnati during this period centered on practice squad development and special teams contributions. On August 29, 2023, Johnson was waived by the Bengals as part of their move to a 53-man roster, ending his first stint with the organization.
Detroit Lions (2023–2024)
On August 31, 2023, Johnson was signed to the Detroit Lions’ practice squad. He was released on December 5, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad on January 4, 2024. Johnson was released once more on January 23, 2024, following the signings of Jake Funk and Matt Farniok. His Lions tenure reflected the constant movement of a practice squad edge rusher competing for a call-up opportunity.
San Francisco 49ers (2024)
On February 15, 2024, Johnson signed with the San Francisco 49ers, joining a defensive line known for its depth and rotation. He was waived by the 49ers on June 4, 2024, during the team’s offseason roster shaping. The brief stint in San Francisco added another organization to his growing professional resume.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2024)
Johnson signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on July 30, 2024, looking to compete for a roster spot heading into the regular season. He was waived on August 25, 2024, finishing a short summer stint with the organization. Jacksonville represented another stop on a series of training-camp opportunities for the veteran edge rusher.
Cincinnati Bengals Second Stint (2024–2025)
On October 16, 2024, Johnson returned to the Cincinnati Bengals on the practice squad, marking a return to a familiar organization. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 7, 2025, extending his time with the club into the next league year. On August 26, 2025, Johnson was waived by the Bengals as part of final roster cuts, continuing his journey across NFL rosters.
Notable Events and Milestones
Johnson’s signature early moment came in Week 11 of the 2021 season, when he recorded his first career sack against Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Blaine Gabbert. His two first-team All-Sun Belt selections at Georgia Southern in 2019 and 2020 stand as his most recognized collegiate milestones.
Raymond Johnson III Career Wins
As a defensive end, Raymond Johnson III has built his professional profile through quarterback pressures, tackles for loss, and special teams work rather than traditional win totals. His first-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2019 and 2020, combined with his 16.5 career sacks in college, represent his most verifiable on-field achievements. He has yet to record a Pro Bowl or major individual NFL award.
Other Wins & Performances
Johnson’s senior season at Georgia Southern stands out as his peak collegiate performance, with 14.5 tackles for loss and five sacks earning first-team All-Sun Belt recognition. His four-year body of work, including 150 total tackles and six fumble recoveries, demonstrated a well-rounded skill set at the college level.
Raymond Johnson III Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available details about Raymond Johnson III’s immediate family are limited, and specific information about his parents has not been confirmed by the provided sources.
Personal Life
Johnson was born in Columbia, South Carolina, and has spent his professional career traveling between NFL cities. Details about a spouse or children are not publicly available in the verified sources provided.
2025 Season Performance
Johnson entered the 2025 offseason under a reserve/future contract with the Cincinnati Bengals after signing the deal on January 7, 2025. He participated in the Bengals’ offseason program and training camp as he looked to secure a spot on the team’s 53-man roster. On August 26, 2025, Johnson was waived by the Bengals as part of final roster cuts, ending his second stint with the organization.
Following his release, Johnson became a free agent available to sign with any NFL team. His experience as a depth edge rusher and special teams contributor has historically positioned him as a practice squad candidate, and a return to that role remains a realistic path forward. Teams in need of veteran edge depth or special teams help could view him as a plug-and-play addition late in the 2025 season.
Throughout his career, Johnson has demonstrated the ability to adapt to multiple defensive systems across the Giants, Bengals, Lions, 49ers, and Jaguars. That versatility, paired with his collegiate production, gives him a foundation to compete for a roster opportunity as the 2025 season progresses.