Dontae Johnson

Dontae Johnson's Biography

Dontae Johnson, born on December 1, 1991 in Plainfield, New Jersey, is an American professional football player known for his playing position as a cornerback. Raised in South Plainfield, Johnson began his schooling at South Plainfield High School before moving to The Pennington School. His exceptional athleticism, particularly on the football field, distinguished him early on, characterised by his selection to the New Jersey all-prep first-team. As a senior, his performance was notable; he had an impressive 108 tackles, six interceptions, and three forced fumbles.

Johnson’s prowess wasn’t limited to just football; he also played AAU basketball in high school, demonstrating his skills and dedication to athletics early on. His commitment to sports didn’t wane in college. Johnson attended NC State, playing cornerback for their football program. His junior season exploits earned him the ACC Defensive Back of the Week award, a testament to his abilities and performance.

The 2014 NFL draft saw Johnson being selected in the fourth round by the San Francisco 49ers, fulfilling the prediction by some experts who projected him to be either a third or fourth-round pick. On May 15, 2014, Johnson signed a $2.62 million contract for four years with the 49ers. His debut as a professional player in the 2014 season-opener at the Dallas Cowboys was magnificent; he recorded two solo tackles and two pass deflections in their 28–17 victory.

Throughout the years, Johnson would move around NFL teams, including the Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Los Angeles Chargers. However, he kept returning to the 49ers, creating quite a pattern and showing a compelling commitment to the team. Perhaps, one of the highs of his career was reaching the Super Bowl LIV with the 49ers in 2020, despite losing to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Despite his success, Johnson faced numerous challenges in his career, such as injuries affecting his game time. Playing for the Seattle Seahawks, he suffered a groin injury which placed him on injured reserve. He experienced similar setbacks with the Buffalo Bills and the Arizona Cardinals, where he was released a short time after being signed.

Despite these circumstances, Johnson’s contributions to the sport remain impactful, as shown by his recording of a career-first sack in a Week 17 game against the Seahawks. His career trajectory displays exceptional determination to persevere despite various setbacks, which further underscore his capabilities as a professional athlete.

By the end of March 2022, Johnson re-signed with the 49ers, further cementing his on-and-off relationship with the team. Unfortunately, an ACL injury brought his season to an abrupt end in December. Even so, Johnson’s resilience and commitment to the game confirm that this setback, like those before it, will not deter him from his journey as an esteemed professional football player. As he currently free agent, the next chapter of his journey remains unrevealed, adding to the suspense of his already illustrious career.