Brandon Johnson (defensive back)
Brandon Johnson is an American professional football defensive back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League. He played college football for the Duke Blue Devils and Oregon Ducks.
Early life and college career
Johnson was born on March 25, 2003, and grew up in Newton, North Carolina. Both of his parents were athletes at Lenoir–Rhyne University. He attended Newton-Conover High School where he competed in football and track and field, winning the regional championship in the 100 metres while being an all-conference and all-state performer in football. A defensive back in football, Johnson helped his school to a state playoff appearance as a senior after posting 44 tackles and three interceptions. He was ranked a three-star recruit and committed to play college football for the Duke Blue Devils.As a true freshman at Duke in 2021, Johnson tallied 17 tackles and recovered a fumble. He then started all 13 games in 2022 and posted 55 tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-loss, 5.5 sacks and two interceptions, earning honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. Johnson was given Duke's 2022 Cutcliffe Family Award as the team's most improved player. He repeated as an honorable mention All-ACC selection in 2023, when he was named Duke's defensive skill player of the year after recording 56 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, two sacks and four pass breakups. Johnson transferred to the Oregon Ducks in 2024 and was used as their fifth defensive back, known as the STAR position to the team. He recorded 45 tackles, 4.5 TFLs and an interception while starting eight games for the Ducks.