Linebacker Tim Johnson’s career numbers in just two seasons are a four-year player’s dream. In 27 games played, he had 401 total tackles with 197 solos and 204 assists. He had at least eight tackles in every game he played in and finished with double-figure totals in 24 contests. He averaged an astonishing 14.8 tackles per game.
He had 24 tackles for losses, six sacks, 10 interceptions, 14 pass breakups and five forced fumbles. YSU won 21 of the 27 games he was with the program and reached the postseason in both of his campaigns. He started all 27 games of his impressive YSU career.
His senior season in 2000 saw him earn consensus First-Team All-America honors. He received accolades from AFCA, The Associated Press, the Football Gazette, the Walter Camp Foundation and The Sports Network. A finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, honoring the FCS’s top defensive player, he lost out to conference linebacker Ed Hartwell.
In 12 games, he had 180 total tackles – 92 solos and 88 assists, averaging 14.8 per game. He had 14 tackles for losses, five interceptions and four sacks. One of his memorable games from that campaign was a 25-stop performance in a thrilling come-from-behind, double-overtime win over Hofstra. Johnson ended the game when he intercepted a pass in the end zone during the second overtime.
Johnson had at least nine tackles in every game and 12-or-more in 10 contests. His interceptions came against Kent State, Illinois State, Western Illinois, Hofstra and Southern Illinois.
As a junior in 1999, he was a second-team all-conference selection while being named to the all-newcomer squad. In 15 games, Johnson was credited with 221 total tackles, including 105 solos and 115 assists while tying for the team lead with five interceptions. Eight times he was credited with 15-or-more stops with a season-high 25 coming versus Indiana State. He also had 20 versus Illinois State. He forced four fumbles during the campaign.
In the FCS semifinals, his fourth-quarter interception against Florida A&M sealed the come-from-behind win over the Rattlers, sending the Guins to the title game.
Johnson went on to play in the NFL from 2001-06 signing with the Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Ravens. In 55 games, he had 114 tackles, including a career-best 11 stops against Pittsburgh when he started the contest at middle linebacker for the Raiders.
He was originally signed by Baltimore and, after being released, joined the Bears as a member of the practice squad. He was signed by Oakland in 2002 and had a productive tenure with the Raiders.
In 2002, he had a great postseason helping the Raiders advance to Super Bowl XXXVII. Johnson had nine tackles and forced a fumble in three postseason games. In the Super Bowl versus Tampa Bay, Johnson blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown.
He started three games with Oakland in 2003 as a middle linebacker. After not re-signing with the Raiders he played for the Baltimore Ravens.
Johnson spent the 2009 season with the Calgary Stampeders where he helped lead the team to the CFL’s Grey Cup Playoff semifinals.
A native of Fairfield, Ala., he was a standout all-sport athlete at Fairfield High School where he played football, baseball and basketball.
He attended East Mississippi Junior College before coming to YSU.
Tim and his wife, Schirin, have two children, Sorayiah and Talahni. The family resides in Bessemer, Ala.
