Brandon Johnson Bio
Brandon Edward Johnson is an American professional football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 26, 1998, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Johnson is currently listed on the roster of the Las Vegas Raiders. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 195 pounds, he most recently signed with the Raiders in June after a journeyman professional career that has included stints with multiple organizations.
Johnson played his college football at the University of Tennessee from 2016 through 2020 before transferring to UCF for the 2021 season. After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, he signed with the Denver Broncos and made his NFL debut later that year. Since then, he has played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Las Vegas Raiders, building a career as a depth receiver and practice squad contributor.
Early Life and Background
Brandon Edward Johnson was born on July 26, 1998, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He grew up in a family with deep connections to professional sports, an environment that helped shape his early interest in athletics. His father, Charles Johnson, played in Major League Baseball, which gave Brandon firsthand exposure to the demands and routines of a professional sports career.
Johnson comes from a wide athletic family. His cousin is former Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots wide receiver Chad Johnson (also known as Chad Ochocinco), a player whose NFL career helped set a standard for the wide receiver position. Brandon is also related to former professional baseball players Fred McGriff and Terry McGriff, extending the family’s presence across both football and baseball.
Johnson attended American Heritage School in Fort Lauderdale, where he played high school football. His performance at American Heritage drew the attention of college recruiters and eventually led to a scholarship opportunity at the University of Tennessee.
Path to American Football
After completing his high school career at American Heritage School, Johnson committed to the University of Tennessee, where he began his collegiate career in 2016. He played for the Tennessee Volunteers under head coaches Butch Jones and Jeremy Pruitt through the 2020 season. During his five years in Knoxville, Johnson appeared as a rotational receiver and returner, finishing his time as a Volunteer with 79 receptions for 969 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown, along with a punt return touchdown.
Looking for a fresh opportunity and a larger role, Johnson transferred to UCF for the 2021 season. He made an immediate impact, totaling 38 receptions for 565 receiving yards and a team-leading 11 receiving touchdowns. That production helped him earn recognition as one of the top transfer wide receivers in college football that year and positioned him for a chance at the professional level.
Despite his college statistics, Johnson went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. He signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2022, beginning his professional football career.
Brandon Johnson Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Johnson signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2022. After suffering an ankle sprain, he was waived with an injury settlement on August 30. He re-signed with the Broncos on October 18 and joined the team’s practice squad. On November 19, Johnson was elevated to the active roster, and the next day he made his NFL debut against the Las Vegas Raiders, recording one reception for two yards in a 22–16 loss. In a Week 12 game against the Carolina Panthers, he caught his first NFL touchdown on a one-yard reception. He finished his rookie season with six receptions for 42 receiving yards and one touchdown in seven games.
In his second season, Johnson became a more active contributor for the Broncos. In Week 2 of 2023 against the Washington Commanders, he caught a 50-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass from Russell Wilson as time expired in a 35–33 loss. He was placed on injured reserve on October 28, 2023, with a hamstring injury and later activated on December 2. He finished 2023 with 19 receptions for 284 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns in 13 games and two starts before being waived by the Broncos on August 27, 2024.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024–2025)
Johnson signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad on August 28, 2024. He appeared in three games during the 2024 season and later signed a reserve/future contract on January 14, 2025. His time on the active roster remained limited, but his work on the practice squad helped him stay in the league.
On August 26, 2025, Johnson was waived by the Steelers with an injury designation as part of final roster cuts. He was later released from injured reserve on August 29. On October 22, 2025, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad, where he remained until his release on December 15. He returned to Pittsburgh on December 24, 2025, signing again with the Steelers’ practice squad, before briefly re-signing with the Broncos’ practice squad in January 2026.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a wide receiver, Johnson has demonstrated reliable hands, the ability to play on the outside, and value as a vertical threat on play-action passes. His experience on multiple practice squads has also made him a dependable special teams contributor and a player who can step into an active role when injuries occur.
Notable Events and Milestones
Johnson’s most memorable NFL moment came in Week 2 of the 2023 season, when he caught a 50-yard Hail Mary touchdown against the Washington Commanders. His first career touchdown came in 2022 against the Carolina Panthers. In total, his verified NFL career statistics include 26 receptions for 335 receiving yards and 5 receiving touchdowns.
Brandon Johnson Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Brandon Edward Johnson has been recognized primarily as a steady contributor rather than a featured star. His career highlights reflect the journey of an undrafted player who has used the practice squad and special teams to extend his time in the NFL.
League Highlights
Johnson’s career win highlights include his first career touchdown reception against the Carolina Panthers in 2022 and his dramatic Hail Mary touchdown for the Denver Broncos in 2023. While he has not been the leading receiver on any team, his production as a rotational player and his role on practice squads have helped him remain active across multiple NFL organizations.
Other Performances
In college, Johnson earned team-leading honors at UCF with 11 receiving touchdowns in 2021. He also contributed as a returner at Tennessee, scoring a punt return touchdown during his time with the Volunteers.
Brandon Johnson Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Brandon Edward Johnson comes from a family with strong ties to professional sports. His father, Charles Johnson, played in Major League Baseball, giving Brandon early insight into the demands of a professional athletic career. His cousin, Chad Johnson (also known as Chad Ochocinco), played wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals and the New England Patriots and is one of the most recognizable players of his era. Brandon is also related to former professional baseball players Fred McGriff and Terry McGriff.
Personal Life
Johnson grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and attended American Heritage School, where he first developed as a football player. His family connections across football and baseball have continued to influence his approach to the game. He maintains an active presence on social media and remains focused on his professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of transitions for Brandon Edward Johnson. After signing a reserve/future contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in January 2025, he was waived with an injury designation on August 26, 2025, as part of the team’s final roster cuts. He was released from injured reserve on August 29, briefly leaving him without an NFL team.
Johnson returned to the league on October 22, 2025, when he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad. He was released by the Buccaneers on December 15, 2025, before signing back with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad on December 24, 2025. His role in 2025 was primarily limited to practice squad duty, though he remained ready to be elevated to the active roster when needed.
Looking ahead, Johnson’s path in the NFL has continued to depend on his versatility as a depth receiver and special teams option. His continued movement between practice squads in 2025 reflected both the challenges of staying in the league as an undrafted player and his persistence in pursuing an active roster role.
