Caleb Johnson Bio
Caleb Johnson, born on July 28, 1998, in San Diego, California, is an American professional football linebacker currently on the active roster of the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and competing at 227 pounds, Johnson has built a professional career through perseverance, special-teams reliability, and a reputation as a hardworking practice-squad promotion. After going undrafted in 2021, he carved out a multi-year NFL path that included a historic first for his college program.
Early Life and Background
Caleb Johnson grew up in San Diego, California, where he attended Point Loma High School and developed the foundation for his football career. As a young athlete in Southern California, he benefited from a region long associated with competitive high school football and strong player development. His combination of size, athleticism, and instincts at the linebacker position helped him attract college attention and prepared him for the next step in his career.
Johnson continued his football journey at Houston Baptist University, joining the Houston Baptist Huskies program in 2016. He spent four seasons developing within the Huskies’ defense, learning the responsibilities of the linebacker position and gradually building the production that would eventually catch the eyes of NFL scouts. The program, competing in the Southland Conference at the FCS level, gave Johnson the platform to refine his tackling, coverage, and run-defense skills.
Path to Professional Football
Johnson’s path to the NFL was shaped by his steady climb through the Houston Baptist program. As a senior in 2020, he recorded 49 tackles in just four games during a shortened season after the Southland Conference fall football schedule was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His production and leadership that year earned him the Southland Conference co-Defensive Player of the Year award, a notable honor for a player at the FCS level. He finished his collegiate career with 278 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks, and seven fumble recoveries, a statistical résumé that reflected his durability and consistency.
Caleb Johnson Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
On May 14, 2021, Caleb Johnson signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent, becoming the first player from Houston Baptist to ever sign an NFL contract. The achievement was a milestone both for Johnson and for the Houston Baptist program, which had produced few NFL prospects to that point. He went on to make the Bears’ 53-man roster out of training camp, a notable accomplishment for an undrafted rookie. On August 31, 2022, Johnson was waived by the Bears, ending his time in Chicago.
Shortly after being waived, Johnson was claimed off waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 1, 2022, giving him a quick path back onto an NFL roster. The move provided him with a new opportunity to develop within a different defensive scheme and continue building his professional résumé.
Jacksonville Jaguars Tenure (2022–2024)
Johnson spent the 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, working primarily in a rotational and special-teams role. His time in Jacksonville allowed him to log defensive snaps, contribute on coverage units, and add to his overall NFL experience. Through his Jaguars tenure, he accumulated a total of 40 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery, statistics that reflected his role as a dependable depth linebacker. His consistency in Jacksonville helped solidify his standing as a serviceable NFL veteran.
Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins Era (2025–Present)
On May 12, 2025, Caleb Johnson signed with the Atlanta Falcons, marking a new chapter in his professional career. He was waived by the Falcons on August 23, 2025, and soon after found another opportunity. On October 1, 2025, Johnson signed with the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad, and on November 26, 2025, he was promoted to the active roster. In two appearances for Miami, Johnson recorded two combined tackles, demonstrating his continued value on special teams and in rotational defense. On December 12, 2025, he was placed on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury suffered in Week 14 against the New York Jets, temporarily pausing his on-field production.
Driving Style and Strengths
Caleb Johnson is recognized for his physical tackling, run-defense fundamentals, and reliability on special teams, all of which have allowed him to remain in the NFL despite going undrafted. His height and weight give him a sturdy build to take on blockers at the linebacker position, and his experience across multiple defensive systems has made him a versatile reserve. Coaches have valued his preparation, motor, and willingness to contribute on coverage units, traits that have helped him earn opportunities on practice squads and active rosters throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining milestones of Caleb Johnson’s career came in 2021, when he became the first player from Houston Baptist to sign an NFL contract, a historic moment for both the player and his college program. He was also named the Southland Conference co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, capping his senior season with one of the conference’s top individual honors. His promotion to the Miami Dolphins’ active roster in November 2025 added another notable chapter to a career defined by perseverance.
Caleb Johnson Career Highlights
Across his professional career, Caleb Johnson has accumulated 40 total tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery, statistics that reflect his role as a rotational and special-teams contributor. His career has spanned four NFL organizations, including the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, and Miami Dolphins. While he has not yet established himself as a full-time starter, his longevity and continued opportunities at the NFL level highlight his value as a depth defender and reliable reserve.
College and Conference Honors
Johnson’s most prestigious individual award came in 2020, when he was named the Southland Conference co-Defensive Player of the Year during his senior season at Houston Baptist. He finished his collegiate career with 278 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks, and seven fumble recoveries, a strong statistical foundation for a player who would go on to sign an NFL contract the following year.
NFL Career Statistics
| Team | Years | Total Tackles | Forced Fumbles | Fumble Recoveries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | 2021 | — | — | — |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 2022–2024 | 40 | 1 | 1 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 2025 | — | — | — |
| Miami Dolphins | 2025 | 2 | — | — |
Caleb Johnson Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Caleb Johnson was raised in San Diego, California, where he attended Point Loma High School before continuing his football career at Houston Baptist University. Publicly available information about his parents, siblings, or extended family has not been confirmed, and details about his personal and family life remain limited in the public record. Johnson has kept his private life largely out of the spotlight, focusing public attention on his football career and team commitments.
2025 Season Performance
Caleb Johnson’s 2025 season has been defined by movement between NFL organizations, beginning with his signing with the Atlanta Falcons on May 12, 2025. After being waived by the Falcons in late August, he joined the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad in early October before earning a promotion to the active roster on November 26, 2025. In limited action with Miami, he recorded two combined tackles, contributing on defense and special teams while adjusting to a new defensive scheme.
Johnson’s 2025 campaign was interrupted in Week 14 when he suffered a shoulder injury against the New York Jets, leading to his placement on injured reserve on December 12, 2025. Despite the setback, his promotion to the Dolphins’ active roster demonstrated continued confidence from an NFL coaching staff in his abilities as a depth linebacker and special-teams contributor. Looking ahead, Johnson will focus on recovery and positioning himself for future opportunities, whether in Miami or elsewhere in the league.
