Ty Johnson Bio
Ty Marquise Johnson (born September 17, 1997) is an American professional football running back and kickoff returner for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins and entered the league after being selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Across his professional career, Johnson has built a reputation as a versatile contributor on offense and in the return game, accumulating more than 1,000 rushing yards while also working as a pass catcher out of the backfield.
Since entering the NFL in 2019, Johnson has played for the Detroit Lions, the New York Jets, and the Buffalo Bills. He is listed at 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs approximately 210 pounds, and he is widely regarded for his speed, shiftiness, and ability to contribute on special teams. Johnson re-signed with the Bills in March 2025 on a two-year contract, signaling the team’s continued faith in his role within the offense and on kickoff returns.
Early Life and Background
Ty Marquise Johnson was born on September 17, 1997, in Cumberland, Maryland, and grew up in the same close-knit community. He attended Fort Hill High School, where he quickly emerged as one of the most dynamic athletes in the region. Johnson was a multi-year starter at both running back and defensive back, demonstrating the versatility and toughness that would later define his professional profile.
During his junior and senior seasons at Fort Hill in 2013 and 2014, Johnson led the Sentinels to back-to-back Maryland 1A State Football Championships, cementing his place among the most accomplished high school players in the program’s history. After both championship seasons, he was named Area High School Football Player of the Year by the Cumberland Times-News, and in 2014, he was selected to the Maryland High School Consensus All-State team by the Maryland High School Football Foundation. Across his two full varsity seasons, Johnson was responsible for nearly 5,000 all-purpose yards and 65 touchdowns, a staggering production level that set the stage for his college recruitment.
Path to American Football
Johnson was rated as a three-star college prospect, the 20th best recruit in the state of Maryland, and the 64th best running back prospect in the country by Rivals. He verbally committed to the Maryland Terrapins shortly after being offered a scholarship in June 2014 by then-head coach Randy Edsall at a football camp held at Maryland Stadium. Johnson officially signed his letter of intent to attend Maryland in February 2015, choosing to remain in his home state despite interest from other programs.
Notably, Johnson did not receive a scholarship offer from a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program other than Maryland, making his commitment to the Terrapins a natural fit. At Maryland, he developed into one of the most productive all-purpose players in program history, finishing his four-year collegiate career with 4,196 all-purpose yards, the third-highest total in Terrapins history. In his sophomore season in 2016, Johnson set the Maryland single-season yards per carry record by averaging 9.1 yards per rushing attempt, and he also excelled as a kick returner, finishing with 1,194 kick return yards and two return touchdowns. He graduated from Maryland in December 2018 with his degree in hand and his sights set on the NFL.
Ty Johnson Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Ty Marquise Johnson was selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round (186th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft, giving him an opportunity to compete for a role in the Lions’ backfield. He made his NFL debut in Detroit’s regular season opener against the Arizona Cardinals, recording a six-yard carry in a 27–27 tie. Johnson earned his first career start in Week 10 against the Chicago Bears, finishing that game with five carries for 16 rushing yards and showing flashes of the speed that had defined his college career.
Overall, in his rookie season, Johnson posted 63 carries for 273 rushing yards and added 24 receptions for 109 receiving yards, establishing himself as a reliable complementary back and pass catcher. On October 1, 2020, however, the Lions waived him, ending his time in Detroit. The following day, on October 2, 2020, Johnson was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets, launching the next chapter of his professional journey.
New York Jets Era (2020–2022)
Johnson quickly found his footing with the New York Jets, becoming a regular contributor in the backfield and on special teams. In Week 13 against the Las Vegas Raiders, he delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, rushing 22 times for 104 yards and a touchdown during a narrow 31–28 loss. Two weeks later, the Jets secured their first win of the season against the Los Angeles Rams, and Johnson played a key role in the victory. He rushed for 16 yards on three carries, added six receptions for 39 yards, and scored the Jets’ first touchdown of the game on an 18-yard completion from quarterback Sam Darnold.
Johnson re-signed with the Jets on March 28, 2023, but shortly thereafter suffered a torn pec during an offseason workout, sidelining him at a critical point in the offseason. He was released by the Jets with a non-football injury designation on April 26, leaving his future uncertain. Despite the setback, Johnson’s body of work in New York had demonstrated his value as a change-of-pace back and reliable return man.
Buffalo Bills Era (2023–Present)
On August 21, 2023, Johnson signed with the Buffalo Bills, joining a deep and talented backfield. He was waived on August 29 but quickly re-signed to the practice squad, and on October 20, he was promoted to the active roster. Johnson remained on the Bills’ active roster through the end of the 2023 regular season and into the postseason, finishing the regular season with 194 all-purpose yards and a receiving touchdown, which he scored in Week 11 against the New York Jets. In Buffalo’s two playoff games following the 2023 season, including a wild card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers and a divisional round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Johnson rushed 15 times for 66 yards, a performance that pushed him past 1,000 total rushing yards for his career.
Johnson re-signed with the Bills on March 19, 2024, and went on to play in all 17 games for Buffalo that season, including one start. He recorded 41 carries for 213 yards and added 18 receptions for 284 yards, along with four total touchdowns, cementing his role as a versatile contributor on offense. On March 11, 2025, Johnson re-signed with the Bills on a two-year, $5 million contract, signaling the organization’s confidence in his continued production.
Driving Style and Strengths
Johnson is widely recognized for his elite speed and acceleration, traits that have made him a threat in space since his college days at Maryland. At his pro day workout, he ran a 40-yard dash timed between 4.3 and 4.4 seconds, with one scout reportedly clocking him as fast as 4.26 seconds, a mark that would have ranked among the fastest at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. He also recorded 27 repetitions of the bench press at 225 pounds and a 34-inch vertical, showcasing the all-around athleticism that has allowed him to contribute as a runner, receiver, and kick returner at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Johnson’s career came during the 2023 postseason, when his 15 carries for 66 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs pushed him past 1,000 career rushing yards. He also etched his name into Maryland’s record books in 2016, when he set the program’s single-season yards per carry record by averaging 9.1 yards per attempt, and he delivered two memorable kickoff return touchdowns during his college career, including a 100-yard return against Ohio State in 2017 and a 98-yard return against Michigan in 2018.
Ty Johnson Career Wins
While Ty Marquise Johnson is a running back rather than a headlining statistical leader, his career has been marked by consistent production and timely contributions across multiple teams. Since entering the NFL in 2019, he has accumulated more than 1,000 rushing yards, over 400 receiving yards, and multiple touchdowns as both a runner and a pass catcher, while also providing steady play on special teams as a kickoff returner.
Buffalo Bills Highlights
During his time with the Buffalo Bills, Johnson has delivered several memorable performances, including a receiving touchdown against the New York Jets in Week 11 of the 2023 season and a productive 2024 campaign in which he played all 17 games. His 41 carries for 213 yards and 18 receptions for 284 yards in 2024 underscored his value as a versatile offensive weapon, and his re-signing on a two-year, $5 million contract in March 2025 reflected the Bills’ continued confidence in his role.
Other Wins and Performances
With the New York Jets, Johnson produced one of his strongest individual games in Week 13 of the 2020 season, rushing 22 times for 104 yards and a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders, and he played a key role in the Jets’ first win of that season against the Los Angeles Rams. Earlier in his career with the Detroit Lions, he recorded 63 carries for 273 rushing yards and 24 receptions for 109 receiving yards as a rookie, establishing himself as a reliable complementary back from the moment he entered the league.
Ty Johnson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Ty Marquise Johnson’s immediate family remains limited, and detailed records about his parents or siblings have not been widely reported. What is known is that he grew up in Cumberland, Maryland, and built his early football foundation at Fort Hill High School, where he became one of the most decorated players in program history.
Personal Life
Johnson has kept much of his personal life private, and there is limited verified public information about a spouse or children. He graduated from the University of Maryland in December 2018, completing his degree before beginning his professional football career, a milestone that reflects his commitment to life beyond the sport.
2025 Season Performance
Ty Marquise Johnson enters the 2025 season firmly entrenched in the Buffalo Bills’ backfield after re-signing with the team on a two-year, $5 million contract in March 2025. His return provides Buffalo with a proven veteran presence behind its primary running backs, offering speed, pass-catching ability, and special teams value. With a full offseason to prepare, Johnson is expected to reprise his role as a complementary back and kickoff returner, contributing on all three phases of the game.
Throughout the 2024 season, Johnson demonstrated his durability and consistency by playing in all 17 games, including one start, and recording 41 carries for 213 yards along with 18 receptions for 284 yards and four total touchdowns. That production, combined with his experience in high-pressure postseason environments, positions him as a reliable option for the Bills as they pursue another deep playoff run. His continued involvement on kickoff returns also gives Buffalo a home-run threat on special teams.
Looking ahead, Johnson’s outlook for 2025 centers on maintaining his role as a versatile offensive and special teams contributor while continuing to build on the momentum of his 2024 campaign. With a stable contract and the trust of the Bills’ coaching staff, he is well positioned to remain a meaningful piece of the team’s roster throughout the season and beyond.