BIOGRAPHY
Austin Hunter Johnson was born on May 8th, 1994, in Galloway, New Jersey. He is a defensive end in the NFL.
Prior to his college career, Johnson attended St. Augustine Preparatory School.
During his freshman season in 2013, Johnson appeared in all 12 games with two starts. He made his first career start against Kent State. Johnson recorded 27 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, one sack, and a fumble recovery. After the 2013 season, he was named a member of the freshman all-conference teams by both ESPN.com, and the Big Ten Network.
In 2014 during his sophomore season, Johnson started in all 13 games and now has 15 career starts. He finished fifth on the team with 49 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss (minus-18) and led the team with two fumble recoveries. Johnson added three pass breakups and tied for seventh in the Big Ten and 43rd nationally in fumble recoveries. He was named honorable-mention All-Big Ten by the conference media.
During his junior season in 2015, Johnson was selected as the second-team All-Big Ten by the media and the third-team All-Big Ten by the coaches. He was named to the BTN.com All-Big Ten squad. He was named to ESPN.com All-Big Ten team. Johnson earned the first-team All-Big Ten from the Associated Press and Athlon Sports and was a part of the midseason Bednarik Award Watch List for the Nation's Defensive Player of the Year.
He was selected to ESPN.com's midseason All-Big Ten team and also selected as the Reid-Robinson Award winner for the team's most outstanding defensive lineman. Johnson started 13 games and ranked second on the team with 15.0 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He returned a fumble 71 yards for his first career touchdown (high school or college) vs. San Diego State (9/26). Johnson was second among defensive linemen in FBS and third on the team with 78 tackles. He had the most tackles for a Penn State defensive lineman since Jimmy Kennedy (87) in 2002.
The Tennessee Titans selected Johnson in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. On May 9, 2016, the Titans signed Johnson to a four-year contract. He made his NFL debut in the Titans' season opener against the Minnesota Vikings and made one tackle in the 25-16 loss. As a rookie in 2016, Johnson appeared in 10 games and finished with 15 tackles and a half-sack.
On March 30, 2020, Johnson was signed by the New York Giants. On March 16, 2021, Johnson re-signed with the Giants.
On March 16, 2022, Johnson signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.
