Clay Johnston (American football)

Clay Johnston

Personal information
Born:	(1996-08-08) August 8, 1996 (age 28) Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	232 lb (105 kg)
Career information
High school:	Wylie (Abilene, Texas)
College:	Baylor (2015–2019)
Position:	Linebacker
NFL draft:	2020 / round: 7 / pick: 234
Career history
Los Angeles Rams (2020)* Carolina Panthers (2020–2021) Cincinnati Bengals (2021–2023)
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
2× Second-team All-Big 12 (2018, 2019)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 36 Forced fumbles: 1 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Clay Johnston (born August 8, 1996) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football at Baylor.

College career

Johnston missed several games in 2017.^[1] He was a second-team all-Big 12 Conference selection in 2018 after recording a team-high 99 tackles. As a senior, he made 58 tackles, eight for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception, and five pass breakups. Johnston only played six games due to a knee injury that ended his season early. He was again named to the second-team All-Big 12.^[2]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	Bench press
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	227 lb (103 kg)	30+1⁄2 in (0.77 m)	9 in (0.23 m)	18 reps
All values from NFL Combine[3]

Los Angeles Rams

Johnston was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round (234th overall) of the 2020 NFL draft.^[2] He was waived on September 5, 2020.^[4]

Carolina Panthers

On September 8, 2020, Johnston was signed to the Carolina Panthers' practice squad.^[5] He was elevated to the active roster on December 26 and January 2, 2021, for the team's weeks 16 and 17 games against the Washington Football Team and New Orleans Saints, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.^[6][7] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on January 4, 2021.^[8]

Johnston made the Panthers 53-man roster in 2021 as a backup linebacker and special teamer. He played in six games before being waived on November 8, 2021.^[9]

Cincinnati Bengals

On November 9, 2021, Johnston was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals. He played in Super Bowl LVI, recording one tackle.^[10]

Johnston played in 23 regular-season games, making one start for the Bengals from 2021 to 2022, recording 11 defensive tackles and 14 special teams tackles. He led the NFL in tackles during the 2022 preseason.^[11]

Johnston was signed to the Bengals practice squad on November 1, 2023.^[12] He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season and thus became a free agent when his practice squad contract expired.^[13]

Personal life

His father, Kent Johnston, was a strength coach for over two decades in the NFL, and was also Brett Favre’s best man for his wedding. He has three brothers Kody, Kole, and Cade. Kody played collegiate football at Texas A&M University and Kole participated in collegiate football at Tarleton State University.

References

1. DaSilva, Cameron (April 25, 2020). "Rams select ILB Clay Johnston with 234rd overall pick in NFL draft". Rams Wire. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
2. Jackson, Stu (April 25, 2020). "Rams select LB Clay Johnston with 234th pick". Rams.com. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
3. "Clay Johnston Combine Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
4. "Rams waive nine players, place Howard on injured reserve and Robinson on reserve/non-football injury list". TheRams.com. September 5, 2020.
5. Simmons, Myles (September 8, 2020). "Panthers add Clay Johnston to practice squad". Panthers.com.
6. Weaver, Tim (December 26, 2020). "Panthers rule out rookie CB Troy Pride, elevate 2 from practice squad". USAToday.com. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
7. Bryan, Will (January 2, 2021). "Panthers sign quarterback Tommy Stevens to active roster". Panthers.com. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
8. Bryan, Will (January 4, 2021). "Panthers sign 14 players to reserve future contracts for 2021". Panthers.com.
9. Gantt, Darin (November 8, 2021). "Panthers place two starting linemen on injured reserve". Panthers.com.
10. "Bengals Make Four Roster Moves Ahead Of The Bye". Bengals.com. November 9, 2021.
11. "The Football Database". Retrieved November 1, 2023.
12. "Bengals Roster Moves: Tight End Signed to Active Roster, LB Signed to Practice Squad". Bengals.com. November 1, 2023.
13. "Bengals Roster Moves: Players Signed to Reserve/Future Contracts". bengals.com. January 8, 2024.

External links

• Baylor Bears bio