Leonard Johnson (American football)

Leonard Johnson
refer to caption
Johnson with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Free agent
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1990-03-30) March 30, 1990
Clearwater, Florida
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight: 194 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school: Largo (FL)
College: Iowa State
Undrafted: 2012
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics as of 2017
Total tackles: 245
Sacks: 2.0
Interceptions: 5
Forced fumbles: 8
Pass deflections: 31
Defensive touchdowns: 2
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Leonard Johnson (born March 30, 1990) is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He played college football at Iowa State. He has also played for the New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, and New York Giants.

College career

Johnson attended Iowa State University from 2008 to 2011. As a freshman in 2008, he set an NCAA record for most kick return yards in a game with 319.[1] During his career he started 43 of 50 games, recording 247 tackles and six interceptions.

Professional career

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2012 season

Johnson was not selected in the 2012 NFL draft, but quickly signed with his hometown team the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on April 30, 2012. Johnson participated in the rookie mini-camp held the next week, and impressed coaches enough to get to work out with the team's draft picks on a separate field. During his rookie campaign he showed great promise when he finished the year with 41 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 3 interceptions.

2013 season

In his sophomore campaign he improved his tackle stats to 62 tackles but only recorded 1 forced fumble and 1 interception.

2014 season

During his 3rd season he saw transition into a new Tampa 2 system installed by new head coach Lovie Smith and defensive coordinator Leslie Fraizer. He was used more in rotation as opposed to a full-time starter and finished his 2014 season with 45 total tackles, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 interception. Johnson was released from the Buccaneers on September 1, 2015 after breaking his leg early in the preseason.

2015 season

On March 10, 2015, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed Johnson to a one-year deal.[2] On September 1, 2015, Johnson was waived by the Buccaneers.[3] On September 2, 2015, the Buccaneers placed Johnson on season-ending injured reserve.[4] On December 3, 2015, Johnson was waived from the Buccaneers' injured reserve.[5]

New England Patriots

On December 9, 2015, Johnson was signed by the New England Patriots.[6] He made his Patriots debut the following week in a 27-6 win over the Houston Texans and recorded two passes defensed. On February 17, 2016, Johnson was released by the Patriots.[7]

Carolina Panthers

On July 14, 2016, Johnson signed with the Carolina Panthers.[8] After starting the season on the reserve/non-football injury list after suffering an Achilles injury in March, Johnson was activated to the active roster on October 28, 2016.[9]

Buffalo Bills

On March 17, 2017, Johnson signed with the Buffalo Bills.[10] He played in 15 games with seven starts, recording 52 tackles and seven passes defensed.

New York Giants

On August 3, 2018, Johnson signed with the New York Giants.[11] He was released on September 1, 2018.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Leonard Johnson Breaks NCAA Record in ISU Loss
  2. ↑ "Bucs re-sign Leonard Johnson, give Rainey $1.5-million tender". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2015-12-04.
  3. ↑ "Buccaneers waive Leonard Johnson, Robert Herron to get to 75-man roster". Bucs Nation. Retrieved 2015-12-04.
  4. ↑ "Buccaneers Place WR Robert Herron & CB Leonard Johnson On Season-Ending I.R. - NFL Trade Rumors -". NFL Trade Rumors -. Retrieved 2015-12-04.
  5. ↑ "Buccaneers Waived CB Leonard Johnson From I.R. - NFL Trade Rumors -". NFL Trade Rumors -. Retrieved 2015-12-04.
  6. ↑ "Bill Belichick Signs CB Leonard Johnson, Loves "Schiano Men" in the Patriots Secondary". Pats Pulpit. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  7. ↑ "Patriots release DB Leonard Johnson". Patriots.com. February 17, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  8. ↑ Strickland, Bryan. "Panthers sign CB Leonard Johnson". Panthers.com. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  9. ↑ Henson, Max (October 28, 2016). "Panthers activate Johnson, place Williams on IR". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017.
  10. ↑ Brown, Chris (March 17, 2017). "Bills make three free agent additions". BuffaloBills.com.
  11. ↑ "Giants sign CB Leonard Johnson, waive CB Kenneth Durden". Giants Wire. USA Today. August 4, 2018.
  12. ↑ Eisen, Michael (September 1, 2018). "New York Giants announce 53-man roster". Giants.com.
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