Buddy Johnson

Early life

Johnson attended Justin F. Kimball High School. He was a two-way player at quarterback and outside linebacker. As a junior, he received second-team All-district honors at quarterback.

As a senior in 2016, he led the team with 472 rushing yards and 446 receiving yards. He also had 268 passing yards. He received All-district honors at linebacker.

College career

Johnson accepted a football scholarship from Texas A&M University. As a true freshman, he appeared in 12 games, compiling 20 tackles, one sack and 3 quarterback pressures. He had 9 tackles (1.5 for loss) and one sack against Louisiana State University.

As a sophomore, he appeared in 12 games, tallying 27 tackles, 5.0 sacks and one fumble recovery. He had 7 tackles and assisted on a tackle for a loss against Mississippi State University.

As a junior, he started all 13 games, collecting 77 tackles (led the team) and 9.5 tackles for loss. He had 11 tackles against the University of Alabama. He made 11 tackles and recovered one fumble, returning it 62 yards for a touchdown against the University of Mississippi, while receiving SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

As a senior in 2020, the schedule was reduced to 10 games because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He started in all contests and was a part of the SEC top ranked defense (ninth nationally). He led the team with 86 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles. He was second on the team with 4 sacks. He had 12 tackles, two pasess defensed and one forced fumble against the University of Georgia. He tied his career-high of 12 tackles, including two tackles-for-loss and one sack against the University of Arkansas.

He finished his college career after appearing in 47 games, with 210 tackles (24.5 tackles for loss), 6.5 sacks, five passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and one interception.