Lonnie Johnson Jr. agrees to deal with Las Vegas Raiders in free agency

by:Jack Pilgrim•about 16 hours

GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 08: Kentucky Wildcats cornerback Lonnie Johnson Jr. (6) celebrates the win following the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Florida Gators on September 8, 2018, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Tom Brady must like what he sees in former Kentucky standout Lonnie Johnson Jr. — now a Las Vegas Raider.

Johnson, who spent two seasons in Lexington in 2017 and 2018, was drafted in the second round by the Houston Texans in 2019 and appeared in 44 games with 19 starts in three seasons. From there, he played for the Tennessee Titans for one year, the New Orleans Saints for one year and the Carolina Panthers for one year.

Now, he’s set to play in his seventh season in the NFL where he will be 30 years old in November, starting a new chapter in Vegas.

Johnson has racked up 199 career tackles (150 solo) with 15 pass deflections, four interceptions, one fumble recovery and one tackle for loss in 83 games and 20 starts. He’s become a strong special teams contributor in recent years, logging 339 snaps on special teams with the Panthers last season compared to just 13 defensive snaps.

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“RAIDERS!!!!!! Let’s work,” he wrote on social media.

RAIDERS ☠️!!!!!! Let’s work https://t.co/nvoezGa8UV
— Lonnie Johnson jr. (@Lonnie30johnson) March 11, 2025

During his two-year career at Kentucky, Johnson accumulated 64 total tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, 12 pass breakups, two blocked kicks, one interception and one forced fumble. He started in 18 games across 26 total appearances in blue and white, including 18 straight starts to close out his career.

He came to Kentucky as a four-star prospect in the JUCO ranks. Now, he’s continuing his career in the NFL and representing the Wildcats well.

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