Nevada sixth-year defensive back turned linebacker convert, now grinding on the Chargers' practice squad after an elite athletic testing score.
Emany Johnson spent six seasons at Nevada before beginning an NFL journey that has taken him from Dallas to Los Angeles and from defensive back to linebacker. His combination of length and athleticism has kept him around NFL rosters even as he continues to fight for a full-time role.
Path to the league
Johnson played at Nevada from 2019 to 2023, redshirting his first year and not becoming a full-time starter until his sixth and final season. In 2023 he earned first-team All-Mountain West honors after recording 99 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions. He went undrafted in 2024, signed with the Dallas Cowboys, and was released that November before the Chargers signed him to a futures contract, where the team began converting him from defensive back to linebacker.
Career highlights
Johnson's first-team All-Mountain West season in 2023 capped a college career built on length and ball skills, and he tested as an elite athlete for his position, posting a 9.58 Relative Athletic Score. Over his Nevada career he totaled 196 tackles and three interceptions.
2025 season recap
Johnson appeared in four preseason games for the Chargers and led the team with 22 tackles, but did not make the final 53-man roster. He received one regular-season roster elevation without playing snaps and signed another futures deal to remain with Los Angeles for 2026.
Sources
- ESPN: Emany Johnson
- SI/OnSI: Chargers Roster Spotlights - Emany Johnson
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- Nevada
- Hometown
- Richmond, CA, USA
- Age
- 25
- Status
- active
