Antonio

Johnson

A top-100 overall recruit and Under Armour All-American participant, Johnson (6’2/198) has the ideal length and stature for an NFL safety. He played mostly in the slot during his first year as a starter, recording 603 of his 800 snaps there with 130 of his other reps coming in the box. The Second Team All-SEC safety held opponents to a suffocating 71.2 passer rating when targeted to go with a very respectable 8.4% missed tackle rate and 88.7 PFF cover grade in 2021. His role changed in 2022 as new DC DJ Durkin spread Johnson around a bit more, with the standout safety playing 280 slot snaps, 128 in the box, and 110 at free safety. He posted 28 stops last year, which was two more than he had in 2021 despite playing 218 less snaps. Despite playing in just nine games, he received AP First Team All-SEC recognition along with being named a Second Team All-American according to PFF. His 1.55 10-yard split (86th%) shows the twitch he possesses, though his overall 4.78 RAS gives pause in relation to his overall athletic traits. The Aggies’ team leader in tackles per game, Johnson is a long, aggressive safety who has the play recognition ability to fill the correct gaps, and the strength to blow up running backs in the hole.

Johnson (6'3/200) is a player who looks solid on the stat sheet and can make an impact as a versatile player who can be used in different ways. One area he’s received high praise in is for his work in the slot. Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus is among those who are high on Johnson’s abilities. “No one in college football is better at (covering the slot) than Antonio Johnson,” Treash said. He totaled 79 total tackles (53 solo), five passes defended, one sack and one interception last season.

Johnson (6'3/200) has graded out well statistically and is very much a player to watch ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft after he 79 total tackles (53 solo), five passes defended, one sack and one interception, landing at the No. 9 spot on Mike Renner of PFF’s latest big board. And there’s no shortage of the things a team can do with him once he’s drafted with the versatility he brings to the table. That’s something Renner has taken note of, saying “he should be a scheme fit for everyone with the amount of different hats (he can wear) in an NFL defense.”

Johnson (6'3/200) has quickly risen and caught attention ahead of the 2022 season after he finished out last year with 79 total tackles (53 solo), five passes defended, one sack and one interception. He landed on PFF’s latest big board from Mike Renner at No. 9, ahead of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and behind Georgia’s Kelly Ringo.

Johnson (6'3/200) has a chance to continue coming into his own after he totaled 79 tackles (53 solo), five passes defended, one sack and one interception in 2021. According to Pro Football Focus, he recorded an 89.5 run defense grade that was top among SEC cornerbacks. He’s a name that’s a bit more under the radar, but maybe he won’t be for too much longer.

Johnson (6'2/185) announced his pledge to Texas A&M on Saturday, doing so after his high school’s game. The East St. Louis, Illinois (East St. Louis HS) product verbally committed to Tennessee in June, but just over a month later he decided to reopen his recruitment. Johnson will be playing in the SEC, but he’ll be calling College Station home as opposed to Knoxville. That being said, Johnson’s recruitment may not be over as he told Rivals recruiting analyst Josh Helmholdt that he could still take two or three official visits before signing. Texas A&M will get host Johnson for a visit, and it’s possible that he could also check out Alabama before Signing Day.

Johnson (6'2/185) was committed to Tennessee for two months over the summer before backing off that pledge. The Vols appear to have essentially fallen out of contention altogether (hey, it’s just like the football team). As for who might actually be in play for his pledge beyond the Aggies, keep an eye on Alabama, Illinois, Nebraska and Missouri. Rivals ranks Johnson as the No. 79 overall prospect in the 2020 class.

Johnson (6'2/185) is also considering an official visit to Kentucky, with Illinois, Nebraska and Missouri three other programs to keep in mind, here. The East Saint Louis, Illinois, native was committed to Tennessee during a two-month stretch over the summer before backing off the Vols at the end of July. Rivals ranks Johnson as the No. 79 overall prospect in the 2020 class.

Assuming Johnson did end up taking officials to the four above programs, he would still have one more open slot to play around with. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder had a summer dalliance with Tennessee, committing to the program in early June, but backed off that pledge at the end of July. The Vols remain in Johnson’s thoughts, though. Rivals ranks the East Saint Louis, Illinois, native as the No. 83 overall prospect in the 2020 class.

Johnson committed to the Volunteers back on June 8, but after taking an unofficial visit to Texas A&M, the safety has decided to open things up. Coincidence? We don’t think so. It’s a big loss for the Volunteers, as he ranks as the 12th best safety in 247Sports composite board.