Chris Johnson drafted by Dolphins in First Round of NFL Draft
Chris Johnson pauses after a big hit. (PJ Panebianco/EVT)
San Diego State did not have a player’s name get called during the NFL Draft the past three years.
That changed on Thursday night.
CB Chris Johnson was selected with the 27th pick in the first round by the Miami Dolphins. He is the highest draft selection for an Aztec since Rashaad Penny was taken 27th by the Seattle Seahawks in 2018.
Johnson is also the first Aztec defensive player to be selected in the first round since Willie Buchanon in 1972.
Johnson elevated his stature on the national scene with an exemplary senior season, earning Mountain West Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors. He continued that upward climb up draft boards with a great NFL Combine performance, including a 4.4 40-yard dash time.
The Dolphins traded with the 49ers to move up three spots (from 30th to 27th) to ensure they would draft Johnson and not risk a team in front of them nabbing him instead.
In a rare occurrence in today’s college football landscape, Johnson rebuffed big financial overtures from Power conferences prior to the 2026 season and stuck to the school that recruited and developed him out of high school. According to a source, a very large NIL offer came last offseason from Ole Miss, a team that ended up in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff three months ago. Johnson trusted in his position coach, Demetrius Sumler, and head coach, Sean Lewis, to elevate him to star status despite playing for a non-Power school.
Several other standout Aztecs are vying for selection in this weekend’s draft or an undrafted free agency signing immediately following it. Johnson’s defensive back teammates, Bryce Phillips and Eric Butler, and offensive linemen Christian Jones and Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli are potential hopefuls.
Avid sports fan and historian of basketball, baseball, football and soccer. UC San Diego and San Diego State alumni living in America’s Finest City. Diverse team following across multiple sports leagues, but Aztecs come first in college athletics.