LJ Johnson Jr.
LJ Johnson Jr.  RB  SMU | NFL Draft 2025 Souting Report - Portrait Image
LJ Johnson Jr.
Height
5-10
Weight
211
College
SMU
Position
RB
Class
Junior
Home town
Cypress, TX
54.4/100
Player Rating
55
PositionRank (RB)
4.33
FortyYD Time
Rush YDs
277
Rush AVG
4.1
Rush TDs
5
Receptions
10
Rec YDs
78

LJ Johnson Jr. RB SMU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

LJ Johnson Jr. RB SMU
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

ROLE: Work-Horse Back
Last Updated: 09/21/2024
Draft Year: 2025
40 time: 4.33 seconds (98%*)
Age: 21.11 DOB: 01/01/2003
Measurables:
Height: 5-10 (36%*) Weight: 211 (43%*)
Forty: 4.33 (O) (98%*) Shuttle: 4.22 (HS) (66%*)
Vertical: 33.5 (HS) (42%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
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ROLE: Work-Horse Back
Last Updated: 09/21/2024
Draft Year: 2025
40 time: 4.33 seconds (98%*)
Age: 21.11 DOB: 01/01/2003
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 5-10 (36%*) Weight: 211 (43%*)
Forty: 4.33 (O) (98%*) Shuttle: 4.22 (HS) (66%*)
Vertical: 33.5 (HS) (42%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
Overall Rating: 54.4 / 100
Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced
Defense Rating:
73%
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects.
Rushing:
59%
Break Tackles:
44%
Receiving/Hands:
53%
Pass Blocking:
44%
Run Blocking:
48%
DRAFT PROJECTION: UDFA
Overall Rank: #533 Position rank: #55
College Games: 33 College Snaps: 461
Grade: 4 ESPN  Stars 4 ESPN  Stars ESPN RATING: 85/100
College Combine Results
Grade: 247 Sports 4  Stars 247 Sports 97.8 Stars 247 RATING: 97.8/100
Grade: 4 Stars 4 Stars RIVALS RATING: 6.0 (98%)
Player Comparison* (Similarity level)
Kevin Mensah - UConn
75%
Micah Bernard - Utah
65%
Kyle Porter - Houston
64%
Draft Profile: Bio
LJ Johnson Jr. from Cy-Fair High School was rated a 4-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 4-star grade by 247 Sports. Following high school, Johnson Jr. joined Texas A&M.

In 2021 as a freshman Johnson Jr. saw action in 4 games for the Aggies as he ran for just 76 yards on 21 attempts for just 3.6 yards per carry, with no TDs, with no fumbles. As a receiver he made just one reception for 14 yards.

As a sophomore in 2022 he played 6 games. and rushed for just 39 yards on 10 carries for 3.9 ypc, with 2 TDs, with no fumbles. In the passing game he pulled in no receptions for no yards.

After the end of the year Johnson Jr. transferred to SMU where as a junior Johnson Jr. saw action in 10 games for the Mustangs. He ran for 543 yards on 101 attempts for an excellent 5.4 ypc, with 3 TDs, with no fumbles. As a receiver he made just 5 receptions for 43 yards.
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • He’s equally dangerous in catch-and-run situations as Johnson is taking the top off a defense
  • He’s solid in blitz pickup, and he consistently showed the ability to anchor against bigger players.
  • Possesses agile feet with the patience, balance and vision to sidestep and elude defenders - nice job following his blocks and working well in tight areas. Physical at the point of attack and keeps his feet moving
  • Johnson finishes runs well and flashes the ability to get small and squeeze through traffic.
  • He shows suddenness off the line of scrimmage and accelerates quickly, and his top-end speed is among the best in this draft.
  • He’s patient in the backfield, willing to wait out his blocking and not panicking, and he consistently spots cutback lanes and takes advantage.
  • Johnson has very good vision and a knack for picking out cut-back lanes and then breaking offchunks of yardage.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • Johnson isn’t going to overwhelm opposing defensive backs with speed and athleticism.
  • He’s not going to threaten to take the top off of a defense.
  • Johnson can sometimes be impatient, not allowing his blocks to set up, a nuance required for backs to last a decade-plus.

LJ Johnson Jr. percentiles vs other Running Backs (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)

How other scouting services rate LJ Johnson Jr. (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
609.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
58.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance. For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.

*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.