BIOGRAPHY
Alexander James Johnson was born on December 24th, 1991, in Gainesville, Georgia. He is a linebacker in the NFL.
In 2011, Johnson played in all 12 games in true freshman season, starting 10 times. He led all SEC freshmen in tackles with 80, finishing second for UT. He recorded 4.5 TFLs, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries, the only Vol with multiple FRs and had 36 tackles in a three-game span (12.0 per game) against #1 LSU, #2 Alabama, and #14 South Carolina. He Piled up 12 tackles and recovered a fumble vs. #14 South Carolina on October 29. Johnson racked up career-high 13 tackles at #2 Alabama, second-most tackles by a true freshman in a game in UT history to earn SEC Freshman of the Week honors. He was named a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America in 2011.
During his Sophomore season in 2012, Johnson played in all 12 games, starting 12 times. He led SEC and UT with 138 tackles in 12 starts in 2012, also had team-high 8.5 TFLs for 25 yards, first-career sack, and eight quarterback hurries. He posted most tackles by a Vol since Jerod Mayo made 140 in 2007, and with 21 tackles at Miss State, had most stops by a Vol in 48 years, since Keith DeLong had 23 vs. Alabama in 1988. Johnson closed the year with 14 tackles including first-career sack (for 10 yards), two TFLs and his sixth rushing touchdown of the season vs. Kentucky (11/24).
In 2013 during his Junior season, Johnson played in all 12 games, starting 12 times. He Led Vols in tackles with 106 in 2013 and was third in SEC in tackles per game with 8.8. Johnson racked up eight tackles vs. WKU (9/7) that included a key TFL in the first quarter to thwart a WKU drive. He opened 2013 season with two tackles vs. Austin Peay (8/31). On 2014 Johnson began his senior year with nine tackles and a first interception, also forced a fumble vs. Utah State (8/31); finished the win by leading the band in playing of Rocky Top, he was Second SEC in tackles per game (10.1), 18th in FBS. Johnson had 23 games with double-figure tackles in 46 career games. Johnson ended as Tennessee all-time leader in career assisted tackles at UT with 207; breaking the record of Andy Spiva.
Johnson signed with the Denver Broncos on August 13, 2018. He made the Broncos 53-man roster, only playing in one game through 11 weeks. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Broncos on January 2, 2019.