Kyron

Johnson

Johnson in his senior year at Kansas led the defense with 8.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks on the season, forcing four fumbles, the third most in the Big 12. His 6.5 sacks ranked seventh in the league. Johnson led the Jayhawks with 10 quarterback hurries during the 2021 season, not committing a single penalty on 655 snaps. Johnson will likely be a depth option for the Eagles who could earn playing time down the line.

Several players have been identified as snubs from the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, something that is becoming even more prevalent with pro day numbers across the country emerging. Johnson (6'3"/231) is one of those, as Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy pointed out on Twitter on Wednesday. Here’s a look at the numbers he posted: 40-yard dash: 4.36/4.39; vertical jump: 39.5.

With the NCAA freezing all eligibility clocks this academic year due to COVID-19, seniors such as Johnson (6'1/223) will have the opportunity to return to school for another year if they so choose. The outside linebacker made his intentions known Monday, meaning that Kansas will have one of its more experienced contributors in the fold next season. Through seven games in 2020, Johnson has accounted for 31 total tackles (4.5 for loss) and one forced fumble.

Johnson, a three-star recruit in the last cycle, is an undersized linebacker with cornerback speed (reported 4.41 forty). The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder “is an athletic player with good range and ... versatility ... [who could] impact early on special teams due to his play traits,” ESPN noted in a scouting report. ESPN’s Jake Trotter added: “The combination of that speed and Johnson’s ability to deliver big hits could earn him immediate time on the field.”