Senior A&M linebacker Buddy Johnson leaving for NFL Draft

Following a tremendous senior season in which he emerged as the leader of Texas A&M’s defense, linebacker Buddy Johnson has declared to enter the NFL draft.

Johnson made the announcement on Friday.

His decision to forego an additional year of eligibility put an end to a splendid career in which he led the Aggies in tackles in the two years he was a starter.

The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Johnson was a quarterback at Dallas Kimball High School. He came to A&M as a 210-pound three-star rated prospect in the 2017 recruiting class.

His weight, muscle tone and production steadily increased.

He appeared in 12 games as a freshman and posted 20 tackles. The next season he had 27 tackles in a backup role to Tyrel Dodson and Otaro Alaka.

In the 2019 season, Johnson moved into the starting lineup with outstanding results. He led the Aggies with 77 tackles and was third on the team with 9.5 tackles for loss.

The highlight of his junior season was returning a fumble 62 yards for a touchdown in a 24-17 victory over Ole Miss. He also had 10 tackles in that game to earn Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week recognition.

Although shunned for postseason honors, Johnson proved among the SEC’s best linebackers in 2020. He posted 86 tackles, including 85 for lost yardage. He had 4 sacks, returned an interception for a touchdown in a 20-7 victory over LSU and forced two fumbles.

Johnson stripped the football from Florida running back Malik Davis with just under 4 minutes remaining in a 38-38 tie. DeMarvin Leal recovered the fumble. The turnover led to the game-winning field goal as the Aggies upset the No. 4 Gators, 41-38.

Johnson also broke up three passes this season.