Emany Johnson's journey from high school standout to NFL hopeful is a testament to perseverance and adaptability. Born in Richmond, California, Johnson honed his skills at Hercules High School, where he excelled not just in football but also in baseball and basketball.
As a cornerback, he was the team MVP for three consecutive years, catching the eye of recruiters as a three-star prospect. Ultimately, he chose to take his talents to Nevada, drawn by a coaching staff that made him feel like family.
At Nevada, Johnson's path wasn't without its challenges. He redshirted his first year, gradually earning playing time as a redshirt freshman in 2019.
It wasn't until 2023 that he truly broke out, securing a starting role in the defensive backfield. His performance was nothing short of impressive, earning him All-Mountain West First Team honors with 99 tackles, three and a half tackles for loss, and three interceptions.
Despite his standout college career, the 2024 NFL Draft didn't generate much buzz for Johnson. His elite athleticism, as highlighted by his 9.58 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) out of 10, wasn't enough to secure a draft pick.
However, the Dallas Cowboys saw potential and signed him as an undrafted free agent. His stint with the Cowboys was short-lived, leading him to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Transitioning to linebacker for the Chargers in 2025, Johnson leveraged his size and athleticism to make an impact closer to the line of scrimmage. While he showed promise during the preseason, he didn't make the final 53-man roster but was elevated in September, though he didn't see game action.
For the 2026 season, Johnson is back with the Chargers on a futures contract. His contract, valued at $885,000, reflects the team's belief in his potential, even as he faces stiff competition in a crowded linebacker room.
With players like Junior Colson and Marlowe Wax vying for spots, Johnson's path to the active roster isn't guaranteed. The Chargers' tendency to utilize Nickel packages could mean fewer linebacker spots, but Johnson's preseason flashes suggest he could be a valuable practice squad member ready for a call-up when needed.
As the Chargers gear up for the 2026 season, fans will be watching to see if Johnson's hard work and versatility can earn him a more permanent spot on the roster. His journey is far from over, and his story is one of determination and resilience in the face of adversity.
In Other News...
Chargers Suddenly Face A Massive Rashawn Slater Question In 2026
Rashawn Slater has already built the kind of rsum the Chargers hoped for when they took him 13th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, becoming a Pro Bowl tackle and one of the most important pieces on the roster when healthy. But his career has also been defined by stops and starts, with injuries interrupting what looked like a steady rise and forcing Los Angeles to keep recalibrating around one of its best offensive linemen.
Now the conversation around Slater is shifting again as 2026 approaches, because the Chargers need to know what they can count on from a player who has already been through a torn bicep and other setbacks. The urgency is obvious with his big extension on the books, and the team suddenly has to answer a hard question about whether it can still build around him the way it once planned. [Read more 🡒]
Mike McDaniel Faces A Huge Justin Herbert Test In Los Angeles
Mike McDaniel is getting a very different kind of offensive canvas in Los Angeles, one that looks nothing like the speed-driven setup he helped build in Miami. The Chargers are not built around a Tyreek Hill-style outside eraser, so the emphasis shifts to a more layered attack, with a real commitment to the run game, motion and play-action, all designed to create balance instead of trying to win every snap the same way.
Justin Herbert is the reason that approach has real staying power. His arm talent, size and ability to make off-platform throws give the Chargers a higher baseline than McDaniel had before, which is why this offense can afford to be more adaptable than a straight copy of the Miami blueprint. The challenge now is making the pieces around Herbert, including Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Tre Harris, consistently handle their own roles well enough to let the whole thing function. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Face A Real Test Of How Aggressive Joe Hortiz Will Be
The idea of the Chargers making a real move at corner has gained traction with Clevelands willingness to listen after the Myles Garrett trade shook up the Browns approach. Denzel Ward fits the kind of upgrade Los Angeles would at least have to consider if Joe Hortiz wants to be aggressive, because the former Pro Bowl corner would immediately raise the ceiling of a secondary that is still sorting out its pecking order.
Ward also brings the kind of contract questions that make any deal harder to pencil in cleanly. His deal carries a hefty 2026 cap hit, and a trade would likely come with the need for a new extension, while Clevelands contract structure could complicate how both sides value the return. For the Chargers, the real question is not whether Ward would help, but how much Hortiz is willing to pay in picks and future flexibility to find out. [Read more 🡒]