Taron Johnson

Last updated

Taron Johnson
Taron Johnson NFL2021 Buffalo Bills (cropped).jpg
Johnson in 2021
No. 7 – Buffalo Bills
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1996-07-27) July 27, 1996 (age 27)
Sacramento, California, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:192 lb (87 kg)
Career information
High school: Sheldon
(Sacramento, California)
College: Weber State
NFL draft: 2018  / Round: 4 / Pick: 121
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:450
Sacks:7.0
Pass deflections:39
Interceptions:4
Forced fumbles:7
Fumble recoveries:2
Touchdowns:1
Player stats at PFR

Taron Johnson (born July 27, 1996) is an American football cornerback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Weber State. [1] He played high school football at Sheldon High School in Sacramento, California. [2]

Contents

Early years

Johnson played high school football at Sheldon High School in Sacramento, California. He was pulled up to the school’s varsity squad as a sophomore, one year earlier than the standard, owing to his exceptional talent. He would go on to be the school’s first ever NFL draft pick. [2]

College career

Coming out of high school, Weber State was the only college that offered Johnson a football position, so he accepted it. [2]

Johnson started five games as a freshman at Weber State, and was a full-time starter thereafter. As a sophomore, he set a school record with 12 pass break-ups, and then tied the record the following season as a junior. As a senior in 2017, he totaled three interceptions, nine pass break-ups, and 49 tackles, earning the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year award [3] and consensus First Time All-American honors. [4]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+1⁄8 in
(1.81 m)		192 lb
(87 kg)		30+7⁄8 in
(0.78 m)		9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		4.50 s1.54 s2.60 s4.27 s6.86 s33.0 in
(0.84 m)		9 ft 10 in
(3.00 m)		17 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day [5] [6]

Johnson was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft with the 121st overall pick. [7] On May 11, 2018, he signed his rookie contract. [8] Against the Green Bay Packers in week 4, Johnson recorded his first career sack and forced fumble, taking down quarterback Aaron Rodgers with a strip-sack. [9] Johnson recorded his first career interception the following week against the Tennessee Titans, picking off Marcus Mariota in the 13–12 victory. [10] He was placed on injured reserve on December 11, 2018, after undergoing shoulder surgery. [11]

Johnson is currently the Bills' starting nickel cornerback. [12]

Johnson with the Buffalo Bills in 2021. Taron Johnson WFT at Buffalo Bills (cropped).jpg
Johnson with the Buffalo Bills in 2021.

In Week 14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football, Johnson intercepted a pass thrown by Ben Roethlisberger and returned it for a 51-yard touchdown during the 26–15 win. [13]

In the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Baltimore Ravens, Johnson intercepted a pass thrown by Lamar Jackson in the Bills' endzone and returned it for a 101-yard pick six during the 17–3 win. [14] This return tied the longest in NFL playoff history with George Teague.

On October 9, 2021, Johnson signed a three-year, $24 million contract extension with the Bills. [15]

After a second-team All-Pro season in 2023 as a slot cornerback, Johnson signed a three-year, $31 million contract extension with the Bills through the 2027 season. [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nate Clements</span> American football player (born 1979)

Nathan D. Clements is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft with the 21st overall pick, and also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals.

Jerametrius Tarell Butler is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Kansas State.

Jonathan Charles Wade is an American former football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons. He played college football for the University of Tennessee. Wade was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft, and he also played for the Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, and Miami Dolphins of the NFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheldon High School (California)</span> Public high school in Sacramento County, California

Sheldon High School or SHS is a 9th–12th grade college-preparatory high school located in unincorporated Vineyard, California, a southeast suburb of Sacramento that is also north of Elk Grove. The school was established in 1997 as part of the Elk Grove Unified School District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Haden</span> American football player (born 1989)

Joseph Walter Haden III is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators, earning unanimous All-American honors and was a member of a BCS National Championship team. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft and played for them for seven seasons. He also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers for five seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronald Darby</span> American football player (born 1994)

Ronald Darby is an American football cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida State and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Denver Broncos, and Baltimore Ravens. A world-class sprinter during his high school years, Darby won medals at the 2011 World Youth Championships in Athletics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Micah Hyde (American football)</span> American football player (born 1990)

Micah Richmond Hyde is an American football safety, currently a free agent. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL draft. He also played for the Buffalo Bills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marlon Humphrey</span> American football player (born 1996)

Marlon N. Humphrey is an American football cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He attended Hoover High School, where he was named to the USA Today All-USA high school football team in 2012 and 2013. During his tenure, he won a silver medal in the 110 metres hurdles at the 2013 World Youth Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine. He also was named as a USA Today All-American Track and Field Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Colvin</span> American football player (born 1991)

Aaron Colvin is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at Oklahoma and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He also played for the Houston Texans and Washington Redskins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">E. J. Gaines</span> American football player (born 1992)

Edwin "E. J." Gaines Jr. is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at Missouri. He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dontae Johnson</span> American football player (born 1991)

Dontae Johnson is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at NC State and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Los Angeles Chargers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Johnson (cornerback)</span> American football player (born 1992)

Kevin Johnson is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for six seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and was selected by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tre'Davious White</span> American football player (born 1995)

Tre'Davious White Sr. is an American football cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at LSU, where he was a consensus All-American as a senior in 2016. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. Since earning a starting position as a rookie, White became one of the league's top cornerbacks as part of a resurgent Bills defense, having garnered two Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors. Following three injury-riddled seasons and his subsequent release, White signed with the Rams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ahkello Witherspoon</span> American football player (born 1995)

James Ahkello Elec Witherspoon is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Colorado and has played in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Milano</span> American football player (born 1994)

Matthew Vincent Milano is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denzel Ward</span> American football player (born 1997)

Denzel Nehemiah Ward is an American football cornerback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siran Neal</span> American football player (born 1994)

Siran De'Vonte' Neal is an American football cornerback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Jacksonville State and was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Neal plays primarily on special teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Levi Wallace</span> American football player (born 1995)

Levi Wallace is an American football cornerback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, and signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He has also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dane Jackson (American football)</span> American football player (born 1996)

Dane Tyrez Jackson is an American football cornerback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Pittsburgh and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Kaiir Elam is an American football cornerback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida and was drafted by the Bills in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

References

  1. ↑ Davidson, Joe (January 24, 2018). "Sheldon's first NFL draft pick? Why he thinks he has a chance to prove doubters wrong". The Sacramento Bee. ISSN   0890-5738.
  2. 1 2 3 "Taron Johnson becomes Sheldon's first NFL draft pick. Why his new team was a surprise". The Sacramento Bee. ISSN   0890-5738 . Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  3. ↑ Hein, Brett. "Weber State football: Taron Johnson named Big Sky defensive player of the year". Standard-Examiner. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Weber State 2017 Football Roster - Taron Johnson" . Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Taron Johnson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  6. ↑ "2018 Draft Scout Taron Johnson, Weber State NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  7. ↑ Maiorana, Sal (April 28, 2018). "5 things to know about Buffalo Bills pick Taron Johnson". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
  8. ↑ Brown, Chris (May 11, 2018). "Bills sign fourth-round pick Johnson". BuffaloBills.com. Archived from the original on May 11, 2018.
  9. ↑ Turner, Erik (October 4, 2018). "Bills' Young Secondary Tested". Cover1.net.
  10. ↑ Filipowski, Nick (October 7, 2018). "Returning to form: Bills defense forces three turnovers in win over Titans". WIVB-TV.
  11. ↑ Brown, Chris (December 11, 2018). "Bills place Matt Milano, Taron Johnson on I-R". BuffaloBills.com.
  12. ↑ Skurski, Jay (August 28, 2020). "Taron Johnson's 'dog' mentality gives Bills' secondary some bite". The Buffalo News. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills – December 13th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Divisional Round - Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills - January 16th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  15. ↑ Brown, Chris (October 9, 2021). "Bills sign CB Taron Johnson to a three-year contract extension". BuffaloBills.com.
  16. ↑ Warren, Patrick (March 18, 2024). "Bills extend Taron Johnson through 2027 season". BuffaloBills.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.