The first San Diego State defender drafted in the first round since 1972, Chris Johnson turned a blazing combine into a top-30 selection.
Chris Johnson made history for San Diego State when the Dolphins took him 27th overall in the 2026 draft, trading up from pick 30 to get him. He capped his college career as the Mountain West's co-Defensive Player of the Year and validated his rising draft stock with one of the fastest 40 times among cornerbacks at the combine.
Path to the league
Johnson starred at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Eastvale, California, playing both cornerback and receiver before committing to San Diego State. He worked his way from a reserve role as a freshman to a full-time starter, culminating in a senior season that turned him into a first-round prospect.
Career highlights
Johnson became San Diego State's tenth first-round pick ever and its first defensive player selected in the opening round since Willie Buchanon went seventh overall to Green Bay in 1972. He ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash at the combine, third-best among all cornerbacks, which pushed him from a projected second-round grade into the top 30 picks.
2025 season recap
As a senior, Johnson intercepted four passes and returned two for touchdowns, racking up 146 interception return yards, the most of any player in the country. The performance earned him Mountain West co-Defensive Player of the Year honors and first-team All-Mountain West recognition, sealing his rise up draft boards before Miami selected him 27th overall.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Chris Johnson (cornerback, born 2004)
- Miami Dolphins: Fast Facts - Chris Johnson
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Cornerback
- Group
- defense
- College
- San Diego State
- Hometown
- Eastvale, CA, USA
- Age
- 21
- Status
- active
