Jaleel Johnson (born July 12, 1994) is an American football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football at Iowa. Johnson was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round, 109th overall of the 2017 NFL draft.

Jaleel Johnson
Personal information
Born: (1994-07-12) July 12, 1994 (age 30)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:316 lb (143 kg)
Career information
High school:Montini Catholic
(Lombard, Illinois)
College:Iowa (2012–2016)
Position:Defensive end
NFL draft:2017 / round: 4 / pick: 109
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:149
Sacks:7.5
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early years

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Born in New York City, Johnson grew up in a rough neighborhood in Brooklyn. As a teenager, his parents sent him to live with an aunt in Chicago where he had a better chance to thrive. He played football and wrestled at St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois, where he was a three-year starter as a defensive tackle and offensive lineman and was named first-team All-area. However, in the middle of his junior year, due to a coaching change and a losing season, Johnson transferred to Montini Catholic High School for his senior season, and in his only campaign at Montini, Johnson was named team captain and earned first-team All-state, All-conference and All-area honors as well as prep All-America recognition after helping the Broncos post 12-2 a record while winning the state championship, finishing with a 70-45 victory over Joliet Catholic. He recorded 80 tackles, including five tackles for loss, three sacks and nine pressures. During his time at St. Joseph, Johnson also earned two letters as a heavyweight wrestler.[1]

Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Johnson received scholarship offers from half of the Big Ten. It was Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz who convinced him to play for the Hawkeyes after he sent a personal letter that made an impression on Johnson. He took a few visits to Iowa City and decided to sign with the Hawkeyes. Shortly after Signing Day, Johnson decommitted to take a closer look at Michigan State one more time, but ended up committing back to Iowa.

College career

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Johnson played at the University of Iowa from 2012 to 2016.[1] Johnson had to wait a while before getting significant playing time due to Iowa's depth in the interior defensive line. He redshirted in 2012, and played in seven games as a reserve defensive tackle the following season, and then had 11 tackles, 2.5 for loss, as a backup in 2014.[2] Given the starting role as a junior in 2015, Johnson garnered honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. Johnson stepped up his game in 2016, being named first-team All-Conference after leading his team with 10 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.[3] In Iowa's biggest game in 2016 against No. 3 Michigan, Johnson was one of the biggest reasons the Hawkeyes won 14-13, as he led the team with 9 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack and a safety in the second quarter.[4] According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Johnson ranked sixth among defensive tackles in pass rush productivity with 43 combined pressures in 330 snaps.[5] During his five-year career with the Hawkeyes, Johnson posted 113 tackles, 18.5 of them for loss and 12.5 sacks.

Statistics

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Iowa Hawkeyes
Season Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
Total Solo Ast Sck Tfl PDef Int Yards Avg Lng TDs FF FR FR Yds TDs
2013 1 0 1 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2014 11 2 9 1.5 3.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2015 45 22 23 3.5 5.5 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 1 0 0
2016 56 30 26 7.5 10.0 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
NCAA career totals 113 54 59 12.5 18.5 3 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 1 0 0

Professional career

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External videos
  Johnson performing at the NFL Combine
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+58 in
(1.90 m)
316 lb
(143 kg)
33+14 in
(0.84 m)
9+58 in
(0.24 m)
5.25 s 1.84 s 3.07 s 4.62 s 7.64 s 28 in
(0.71 m)
8 ft 5 in
(2.57 m)
19 reps
All values are from NFL Combine except 40-yard dash and broad jump from Iowa Pro Day[6]

Minnesota Vikings

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Johnson was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round with the 109th overall selection in the 2017 NFL draft.[7]

Over his first three seasons in the NFL, Johnson played mainly in a reserve role, making four starts while also recording four sacks over that period, including 3.5 sacks in 2019. In 2020, Johnson moved into a starting role after projected starter Michael Pierce opted out of the season due to concerns over Covid 19.[8][9] He started all 16 games and recorded 44 tackles and one and a half sacks.[10]

Houston Texans (first stint)

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On April 8, 2021, Johnson signed with the Houston Texans.[11] He was released on August 31, 2021.[12]

New Orleans Saints (first stint)

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On September 6, 2021, Johnson was signed to the New Orleans Saints practice squad.[13]

Houston Texans (second stint)

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On September 15, 2021, Johnson was signed by the Texans off the Saints practice squad after defensive lineman Vincent Taylor suffered an ankle injury.[14][15]

New Orleans Saints (second stint)

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On April 4, 2022, Johnson signed with the Saints.[16] He was released on August 11, 2022.[17] He was re-signed four days later.[18] He was placed on injured reserve on August 17.[19] On August 23, 2022, he was released with an injury settlement.[20]

Atlanta Falcons

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On October 5, 2022, Johnson was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad.[21]

Houston Texans (third stint)

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On October 27, 2022, Johnson was signed by the Texans off the Falcons practice squad.[22] He was released on November 19.[23]

Atlanta Falcons (second stint)

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On November 21, 2022, Johnson was claimed off waivers by the Falcons.[24]

Tennessee Titans

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On May 30, 2023, Johnson signed with the Tennessee Titans.[25] He was released on August 29, 2023 and re-signed to the practice squad on September 20.[26] He was promoted to the active roster on October 28.[27] Johnson was released on November 21 and re-signed eight days later.[28][29]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Jaleel Johnson provides power in middle of Iowa defense". Hawkcentral.com. October 28, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  2. ^ Marc Morehouse (March 4, 2017). "Iowa's Jaleel Johnson closing in on the payday". The Gazette. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  3. ^ Marc Morehouse (April 23, 2017). "The Iowa defensive tackle machine". The Gazette. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  4. ^ "Johnson, Hawkeyes chase perfection | Iowa Hawkeyes Football". Qctimes.com. September 29, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  5. ^ "PFF scouting report: Jaleel Johnson, DI, Iowa". Pro Football Focus. March 29, 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  6. ^ *Jaleel Johnson | Iowa, DT : 2017 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile
  7. ^ "Vikings Select Iowa DT Jaleel Johnson". Vikings.com. April 29, 2017. Archived from the original on May 4, 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  8. ^ "Vikings' Michael Pierce to opt out of 2020 season due to respiratory issues". Twin Cities. July 28, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  9. ^ "After strong '19 season, tackle Jaleel Johnson could help new-look Vikings defensive line". Star Tribune. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  10. ^ "Jaleel Johnson Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  11. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (4-8-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. April 8, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  12. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (8-31-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. August 31, 2021.
  13. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. September 6, 2021. Archived from the original on September 7, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  14. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (9-15-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. September 15, 2021.
  15. ^ Sidhu, Deepl (September 15, 2021). "Texans bring back DL Jaleel Johnson with Vincent Taylor out". www.houstontexans.com. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  16. ^ "New Orleans Saints agree to terms with defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson on one-year contract". NewOrleansSaints.com. April 4, 2022.
  17. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 11, 2022.
  18. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  19. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 17, 2022.
  20. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". neworleanssaints.com. August 23, 2022.
  21. ^ "Falcons designate CB Isaiah Oliver to return off IR, sign DT Jaleel Johnson to practice squad". The Falcoholic. October 5, 2022.
  22. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (10-27-2022)". HoustonTexans.com. October 27, 2022.
  23. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (11-19-2022)". HoustonTexans.com. November 19, 2022.
  24. ^ "Falcons Sign Titans Ex LB, Barstool Sports Host Will Compton". SI.com. November 21, 2022.
  25. ^ Wyatt, Jim (May 30, 2023). "Titans Agree to Terms with Veteran DL Jaleel Johnson". TennesseeTitans.com.
  26. ^ Wyatt, Jim (August 29, 2023). "Titans Trim Roster Ahead of NFL's Deadline". TennesseeTitans.com.
  27. ^ Wyatt, Jim (October 28, 2023). "Titans Make a Flurry of Roster Moves Ahead of Sunday's Game vs the Falcons". TennesseeTitans.com.
  28. ^ Moraitis, Mike. "Jaleel Johnson tweets frustration after being cut by Titans". Titans Wire. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  29. ^ Moraitis, Mike. "Titans bring Jaleel Johnson back despite critical tweets". Titans Wire. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
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