Keelan Johnson
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Career Summary
Keelan Johnson was an Arizona State safety who entered professional football with Miami as an undrafted rookie in 2013. He subsequently joined Philadelphia's practice squad and earned a late-season promotion to the Eagles' active roster.
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Early Life
Johnson is from Mesa, Arizona, and was born on September 26, 1989. At Arizona State, his interdisciplinary studies focused on justice studies and sociology.
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High School
Johnson played football and basketball at Mesa High School. His football responsibilities included rushing, receiving and defensive-back duties, and The Arizona Republic gave him honorable mention all-state recognition as both a junior and senior.
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College Career
Johnson appeared in 49 games with 18 starts for Arizona State, finishing with 169 tackles and eight interceptions. He initially worked at receiver during his 2008 redshirt season before moving to defense. As a senior in 2012, he recorded 88 tackles and led the team with five interceptions.
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Path to the NFL
After participating in the East-West Shrine Game, Johnson joined the Dolphins as an undrafted rookie in 2013. Philadelphia added him to its practice squad on September 3 following his release by Miami.
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NFL Career
Johnson spent most of his rookie season on Philadelphia's practice squad before receiving a December 2013 promotion to the active roster. The Eagles expected his initial opportunity to come on special teams. He was among the players cut during Philadelphia's final roster reduction in August 2014.
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Career Accomplishments
A team captain in 2012, Johnson earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 recognition and a place on Phil Steele's third-team all-conference selection. His five interceptions that season included two against Washington State.
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Playing Style
Johnson had experience at both free and strong safety. Philadelphia's 2013 profile highlighted his movement skills and versatility, while Johnson described his approach as physical, emphasizing pursuit, open-field tackling and range in the secondary.
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Sources for this section
23955, 00-0029974, 1989-09-26, Keelan Johnson, Keelan, Johnson
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