In February, San Diego State senior cornerback Chris Johnson arrived at the NFL ScoutingCombine in Indianapolis a “best kept secret,” as Bleacher Report draft analyst Daniel Harmsdescribed him.
By the time he left Lucas Oil Stadium, the secret was out.
Two months later, after a breakout combine performance that included a 4.40-second 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical jump, Johnson has pushed himself firmly into the first-roundconversation ahead of the three-day NFL Draft, which begins Thursday.
A 10-foot-6 broad jump and 1.54-second 10-yard split helped inflate his NFL Next Gen Statsathleticism score of 87 – the highest among cornerbacks at the combine.
“He killed it,” Aztecs head coach Sean Lewis said. “It was great for him to have that stage andthat opportunity. It was awesome to see him compete the way we’ve seen him compete for the past two seasons. We weren’t surprised. He’s a young man who from day one has had aprofessionalism about how he approaches his business and how he shows up each day. He was ready for that moment and maximized the opportunity.”
Johnson’s production on the field in 2025 backed up the combine numbers.
A second-team Associated Press All-American, Mountain West co-Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Mountain West selection, he was the steadying presence on a defense he described as “bend but don’t break.”
In a 9–4 season that marked a sharp rebound from the Aztecs’ 3–9 record in Lewis’s first year as coach, Johnson finished with 49 tackles (36 solo), four interceptions for 146 return yards and two touchdowns, nine pass breakups, three tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries.
His biggest moments were game-changers. He returned a 97-yard interception for a touchdown in a 34–0 win over Cal, then added a 40-yard pick-six at Nevada. Still, even with the production, Johnson said his standard never softened.
“I feel like I’m a perfectionist,” he said during the season after one of his four interceptions.“The receiver had me beat on the play, the quarterback underthrew it and we both went upand I won the ball. I’d like to win that route from the get-go, not make it so close.”
Johnson followed the combine with another strong showing at San Diego State’s pro day inMarch.
“He doubled down at Pro Day and showcased his skills again along with the other seniors,”Lewis said. “There’s been a steady buzz since he decided to stay on The Mesa a year ago, andwe’re excited to see what that looks like going into the draft.”
That buzz has carried into draft evaluations.
NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein projects Johnson as a first- to second-round selection andcompares him to Seattle Seahawks defensive back Byron Murphy, citing his versatility andtechnical discipline. Zierlein wrote that Johnson is a “scheme-versatile cornerback prospect”who can play inside or outside, consistently mirrors releases out of his pedal, and “rarely labors when transitioning with route breaks.”
He also praised Johnson’s ability to stay disciplined in coverage, noting that he “trusts his footwork and technique” rather than relying on contact, and highlighted his physicality at the catch point and as a tackler.
Going into the draft, Next Gen Stats grades Johnson as an eventual “plus starter.”
NFL Draft analyst Luke Easterling of Athlon Sports projects Johnson as the final pick of the first round at No. 32 to the Seattle Seahawks, calling him a potential replacement for Riq Woolen and noting he has “some of the cleanest film of any prospect in this class.”
Anthony Cosenza of SB Nation views him as a natural fit with the Cincinnati Bengals if theymove down from No. 10 – or a likely Day 2 selection if he slides.
“When you look at Johnson, his tape and measurables, he checks a lot of boxes,” Cosenzawrote.
Johnson’s San Diego State career is over, but he said he wants the foundation laid this seasonto carry over.
“I’ve been here all four years, and pretty much all of those seasons except for now have been apretty big letdown,” Johnson said. “Before I came, we had a 12-win season. I’m finally happythat we can get back towards that. This being my last year, I just hope to keep the younger guys going, keep this thing going.”
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