San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson’s draft stock should rise, perhaps into the first round, after a well-received performance Friday afternoon in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine.
Johnson was timed at 4.40 in the 40, behind only Missouri’s Toriano Pride Jr. (4.32) and Georgia’s Daylen Everette (4.38) among cornerbacks.
Johnson also tested solidly in explosiveness, with a 38-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-6 broad jump. His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) was 9.67, ranking him 93rd among the 2,779 cornerbacks evaluated over the past 40 years.
San Diego State defensive back Chris Johnson (17) goes through drills and testing at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Johnson came into the Combine projected by several scouting services to go in the top half of the second round. This year’s draft takes place April 23 through April 25, with the first round held on Day 1.
“What a great example of what can happen when a kid can stay committed to a program all the way through, be developed, and with tremendous character,” said SDSU coach Sean Lewis, who had a chance to see Johnson on the NFL Network broadcast. “Watching him put on a show today and really smash all the boxes, right?
“The one thing going into it that I kept hearing was like, ‘Hey, does he have the long speed? Does he have the top-end speed?’ And for him to run an official 4.4 flat. Obviously, that obliterates all those concerns. And the tape speaks to everything else.”
Expert’s reaction
Union-Tribune draft expert Eddie Brown says Johnson “checked all the boxes” with his combine performance.
“Is he fast enough to play on the boundary in the NFL? Yes. Is he explosive enough to match up with the top-tier athletes in the pros? Yes,” Brown said. “His tape and productivity already speaks for itself. Loudly. It’s too early to tell how the interviews went, but I’d be shocked if he received anything less than exemplary marks there.”
Brown said he doesn’t see Johnson lasting very long on Day 2, “if he makes it that far.”
Several teams at the back end of the first round have a need at cornerback, including the Eagles, (23rd pick), Bills (26), Rams (29) and Super Bowl champion Seahawks (32).
Denegal progressing
SDSU quarterback Jayden Denegal’s recovery is going well after he underwent surgery in December on his left (non-throwing) shoulder, Lewis siad. The senior is expected to be ready when spring practice begins March 23.
“He’s doing great,” Lewis said. “He’s on schedule. On target. Excited for each day that he’s able to do a little more and tracking and trending toward full clearance for spring ball participation.”
Spring Game plans
SDSU’s 15 spring workouts will culminate with the annual Spring Game, which will be played May 2 on campus.
“We’re going to have a true spring game where we’ll play regular American football, with blocking and tackling,” Lewis said. “There’s no spring portal this year and where our team’s at, we’re going to maximize the opportunities that we have.
“I’m excited for that and for fans to get an early look at our 2026 team as we’re building it.”
Aztecs players participated in several skills events staged at Snapdragon Stadium in last year’s AztecFAST Showcase. Several teams around college football did not have the more traditional scrimmages last year, with an eye on limiting exposure for other teams to scout and potentially poach players in the spring portal. The NCAA had only a January portal period this year.
This year’s Spring Game will be on SDSU’s grass practice field. On the adjacent turf field, the Aztecs are planning to stage a “Family Fair” with plenty of fan engagement.
The SDSU baseball team plays a Mountain West game against Nevada that evening, and the Aztecs are hoping timing of the events will give fans an opportunity to go from one to the other.
“Get an early preview of football and continue to support a great, budding baseball program that’s being revitalized right now,” Lewis said.