This Day in Demon Deacon History: Kevin Johnson becomes Wake Forest’s fifth first round pick
4/30/2021 9:21:00 AM | Football
The standout cornerback was taken No. 16 overall by the Houston Texans this day in 2015.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Kevin Johnson did not look like a NFL prospect when he arrived on Wake Forest's campus in 2010.
Of course, most collegiate freshmen don't look like NFL prospects from the get-go, but even with that fact, Johnson was an extreme outlier. Listed at only 155 pounds at 6-foot-1, the three-star defensive back would need to put in work to stand out to his own coaching staff, left alone NFL scouts.
But five seasons, two head coaches, 41 starts, 43 pass break-ups and over 35 pound of muscle later, the Clarksville, Md. native earned the right to stand in the green room of the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, and wait in the wings as Roger Goodell took the stage.
"With the 16th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select, KEVIN JOHNSON, defensive back, Wake Forest," the commissioner announced, as Johnson hugged his family backstage.
"This kid can do it all," ESPN analyst Louis Riddick said at the time, calling him the best cornerback in the entire 2015 NFL Draft class on his board.
A second-team All-ACC player as a senior in 2014, Johnson earned the reputation conference wide as a shutdown corner, often finishing games without any pass breakups simply because team's never threw his way.
"There were teams who said 'Hey we're going to go after him early.'" Head Coach Dave Clawson said to the Winston-Salem Journal's Dan Collins ahead of the draft.. "But when they came up empty, they stopped doing it — which was smart."
With his selection, Johnson became the fifth Demon Deacon to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Previous Deacs selected in the first round include QB Norm Snead (2nd overall) to Washington in 1961, Elmer Barbour (10th overall) to the NY Giants in 1945, Calvin Pace (18th overall) to the Arizona Cardinals in 2003 and Aaron Curry (4th overall) to the Seattle Seahawks in 2009.
"That was always kind of my goal, and I never lost track of that being at Wake Forest," Johnson said to Collins about being a first round pick. "Every year my goal was trying to be the best player I could be, and fortunately it's put me in the position I'm in now."
Johnson has gone on to have a long career in the NFL, currently entering his seventh season in the league this coming fall. He played four years for the Texans, tallying 124 tackles and 14 pass breakups while battling through injuries in Houston. He then signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2019, helping the team to only allow 16.2 points per game, the second best rate in the league.
For 2020, Johnson signed with the Cleveland Browns, helping the franchise earn their first trip to the playoffs since 2002, and the team's first winning season since 2007 as their starting slot corner. Johnson signed a one-year deal in the 2021 offseason to join the Tennessee Titans.
Of course, most collegiate freshmen don't look like NFL prospects from the get-go, but even with that fact, Johnson was an extreme outlier. Listed at only 155 pounds at 6-foot-1, the three-star defensive back would need to put in work to stand out to his own coaching staff, left alone NFL scouts.
But five seasons, two head coaches, 41 starts, 43 pass break-ups and over 35 pound of muscle later, the Clarksville, Md. native earned the right to stand in the green room of the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, and wait in the wings as Roger Goodell took the stage.
Congrats to Kevin Johnson (@KevJr9) who will be attending the 2015 @NFL Draft in Chicago! #GoDeacs pic.twitter.com/az6XfnoaVj
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) April 16, 2015
"With the 16th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select, KEVIN JOHNSON, defensive back, Wake Forest," the commissioner announced, as Johnson hugged his family backstage.
"This kid can do it all," ESPN analyst Louis Riddick said at the time, calling him the best cornerback in the entire 2015 NFL Draft class on his board.
"He's got some quick feet…his backpedal is blazingly fast."
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) May 1, 2015
Get to know Kevin Johnson.
MORE: http://t.co/SkU9IkYCal pic.twitter.com/YSTn7UgKHa
A second-team All-ACC player as a senior in 2014, Johnson earned the reputation conference wide as a shutdown corner, often finishing games without any pass breakups simply because team's never threw his way.
"There were teams who said 'Hey we're going to go after him early.'" Head Coach Dave Clawson said to the Winston-Salem Journal's Dan Collins ahead of the draft.. "But when they came up empty, they stopped doing it — which was smart."
With his selection, Johnson became the fifth Demon Deacon to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Previous Deacs selected in the first round include QB Norm Snead (2nd overall) to Washington in 1961, Elmer Barbour (10th overall) to the NY Giants in 1945, Calvin Pace (18th overall) to the Arizona Cardinals in 2003 and Aaron Curry (4th overall) to the Seattle Seahawks in 2009.
"That was always kind of my goal, and I never lost track of that being at Wake Forest," Johnson said to Collins about being a first round pick. "Every year my goal was trying to be the best player I could be, and fortunately it's put me in the position I'm in now."
Johnson has gone on to have a long career in the NFL, currently entering his seventh season in the league this coming fall. He played four years for the Texans, tallying 124 tackles and 14 pass breakups while battling through injuries in Houston. He then signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2019, helping the team to only allow 16.2 points per game, the second best rate in the league.
For 2020, Johnson signed with the Cleveland Browns, helping the franchise earn their first trip to the playoffs since 2002, and the team's first winning season since 2007 as their starting slot corner. Johnson signed a one-year deal in the 2021 offseason to join the Tennessee Titans.
Football Media Availability (10/21/25)
Tuesday, October 21
Wake Forest Head Coach Jake Dickert Weekly Press Conference (10/20/2025)
Monday, October 20
Wake Forest Postgame Press Conference vs. Virginia Tech (Oct. 4, 2025)
Monday, October 20
Coach Jake Dickert Postgame Press Conference vs. NC State (Sept. 11, 2025)
Monday, October 20