Rashad Johnson

Julian Rashad Johnson (born January 2, 1986) is a former American football safety. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama.

Rashad Johnson
refer to caption
Johnson with the Arizona Cardinals
No. 25, 26, 49
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1986-01-02) January 2, 1986
Sulligent, Alabama, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:204 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:Sulligent (AL)
College:Alabama
NFL Draft:2009 / Round: 3 / Pick: 95
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:383
Sacks:1.0
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:4
Interceptions:15
Defensive touchdowns:3
Player stats at NFL.com

Early years

A native of Sulligent, Alabama, about four miles from the Mississippi state line. The son of Randy and Gloria Johnson attended Sulligent High School and starred in football, basketball and track for the Blue Devils.[1] He graduated ranked fifth in a senior class of only 54 students.[2]

College career

Johnson had no Division I-A college scholarship offers—the largest schools to offer him scholarships were The Citadel and North Alabama.[3][4] He made an unofficial visit to Alabama, and chose to attend Alabama as a walk-on running back. He redshirted in his first year of eligibility, and as a freshman appeared in all 12 games on special teams.

In spring practice of his sophomore season, he was told by coaches that he'd never be a starting running back there, but they wanted him to switch to defense and play safety. That season (2006), he played in 11 games (missing two due to an ankle injury), starting four at free safety, and earned a full scholarship. He totaled 33 tackles and two forced fumbles.[5] In his junior year in 2007, the now-team captain started all 13 games and led the Tide with 81 tackles and six interceptions. He earned Alabama Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors, was a first-team coaches' All-SEC selection, and earned shared UA's 2008 Mal Moore Leadership Award (with center Antoine Caldwell) for his performance during spring practice.

In the 2008 game versus LSU, Johnson had three interceptions (tying an Alabama single-game record), including one that he returned for a touchdown, and one in overtime that helped Alabama win the game and secure the SEC West Division crown. For the season, Johnson was second on the team with 89 tackles and had five interceptions. He was named unanimous first-team All-SEC and earned first-team All-American honors.[6]

He graduated with a degree in criminal justice.[7]

Professional career

Arizona Cardinals

Johnson was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round (95th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft.[8] As a rookie in 2009, he played in 10 games. In 2010, he played all 16 games with one start with season totals of 43 tackles and his first career interception. In 2011, he played in 16 games, starting nine of them and totaling 50 tackles.

He became a restricted free agent following the 2010 season, but was re-signed on April 26, 2011.[9] He played in 18 games, starting three, with 20 tackles and two interceptions, one of which was his first touchdown after intercepting Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.[10]

On March 12, 2013, Johnson signed a three-year contract to stay with the Cardinals.[11] Before the start of the 2013 season, he switched to jersey number 26 from his original number 49.[12] During a game against the New Orleans Saints on September 22, 2013, he lost his left middle fingertip.[13][14] He had his first multi-interception game against the Atlanta Falcons, picking off two Matt Ryan passes. In 2013, he started seven of his 13 games and totaled career highs in tackles with 58 and interceptions with three.[15]

A key special teams performer, through his first five-season he totaled 41 special teams tackles. In the 2012 season, he racked up 64 yards on two fake punts, picking up first downs after runs of 40 and 24 yards.[16]

Tennessee Titans

On March 25, 2016, Johnson signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans.[17] Johnson spent one season with the Titans, collecting 38 tackles and one forced fumble.

Retirement

On January 3, 2018, Johnson announced his retirement from the NFL.[18]

Career NFL statistics
Career statistics Tackles Sacks Interceptions Other
Season Team Games Solo Ast Total Sack Int Yds IntTD DefTD FFum FRec PD Safety
2009 ARI 10 17 1 18 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2010 ARI 16 23 13 36 0.0 1 7 0 0 1 0 6 0
2011 ARI 16 34 11 45 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
2012 ARI 15 11 2 53 0.0 2 87 1 0 0 1 2 0
2013 ARI 13 52 6 58 0.0 3 35 0 0 0 0 5 0
2014 ARI 16 82 19 101 1.0 4 146 2 0 0 2 8 0
2015 ARI 14 47 9 56 0.0 5 14 0 0 0 1 7 0
2016 TEN 14 25 13 38 0.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
Career 114 291 74 382 1.0 15 289 3 0 2 5 31 0

[19]

Post-retirement career

In 2018, Johnson joined the University of Alabama as the sideline reporter for Alabama's gameday radio team and as member of the Alabama football staff in an off-field role.[20]

References
  1. "Welcome to Sulligent High School". www.sulligenthighschool.com. Archived from the original on March 16, 2004.
  2. "Arizona Cardinals: Rashad Johnson". www.azcardinals.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2009.
  3. "Zoom - Rashad Johnson's Humble Beginnings". www.azcardinals.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014.
  4. "Walk-on now starts for 'Bama". Chicago Tribune. October 6, 2006. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
  5. "Zoom - Rashad Johnson's Humble Beginnings". www.azcardinals.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014.
  6. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 7, 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. v
  8. "2009 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  9. "Arizona Cardinals: Rashad Johnson". www.azcardinals.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2009.
  10. Rashad Johnson pick six
  11. Wilkening, Mike (March 11, 2013). "Cardinals keep Rashad Johnson". NBCSports.com. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  12. Weinfuss, Josh (September 4, 2013). "Number changes dot Cardinals' roster". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  13. "Rashad Johnson Injury: Updates on Cardinals Safety's Finger, Return Date". Bleacher Report.
  14. Garber, Greg (September 27, 2013). "Rashad Johnson talks lost fingertip". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  15. "Arizona Cardinals: Rashad Johnson". www.azcardinals.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2009.
  16. "Arizona Cardinals: Rashad Johnson". www.azcardinals.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2009.
  17. "FS Rashad Johnson agrees to 1-year deal with Titans". ESPN.com. March 25, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  18. "Rashad Johnson announces his retirement from the NFL". AL.com. January 3, 2018.
  19. Rashad Johnson Stats. Pro-football-reference.com.
  20. "Former Alabama star DB joining Tide staff". Retrieved December 31, 2021.
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