Kendall Johnson

Duke linebacker Kendall Johnson, wearing a white helmet, white jersey and white pants, prepares to make a tackle versus No. 16 Virginia in the 2025 ACC Championship Game.

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Duke linebacker Kendall Johnson, wearing a black helmet, blue jersey and black pants, makes a tackle during the Blue Devils' game against No. 12 Georgia Tech.

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Duke defenders Kimari Robinson and Kendall Johnson combine for a tackle against Elon in the 2025 season opener.

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Kendall Johnson waits for a snap at No. 5 Miami.

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Kendall Johnson celebrates a play at Georgia Tech.

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Kendall Johnson runs down the field at Middle Tennessee.

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Position:
Linebacker
Height:
6-3
Class:
Redshirt Junior
Hometown:
Gaithersburg, Md.

2026: Returning linebacker … two-time Academic All-ACC selection (2024-25) … in 26 career games (two starts), has compiled 56 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks, one caused fumble, two PBUs and four QB pressures … recorded 1+ tackle in 19 games, 3+ in 11 contests and a career-high eight against Illinois in 2025 … added a career-high 2.5 TFL versus the Fighting Illini … booked 1.0 sack against Northwestern in 2023 and Illinois in 2025 … credited with a PBU in consecutive games versus Wake Forest and Virginia in the ACC Championship Game in 2025 … tallied solo QB pressures against Elon, NC State, Georgia Tech and Virginia during the title tilt in 2025 … has played 657 career snaps.

2025: Academic All-ACC selection ... saw action in 10 games and started two, versus Illinois and North Carolina … missed the Syracuse, California, Connecticut and Virginia regular season contests … recorded 37 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, one caused fumble, two PBUs and four QB pressures … registered 3+ tackles in eight games, 5+ in three contests and carded a year-high eight versus No. 11 Illinois in week two … booked a career-high 2.5 TFL and 1.0 sack against the Fighting Illini … carded one PBU in consecutive games versus Wake Forest and Virginia in the ACC Championship Game … credited with one QB pressure against Elon, NC State, Georgia Tech and Virginia in the league’s title game … on the field for 397 snaps.

2024: Academic All-ACC selection ... played in 12 games, missing just the North Carolina contest … compiled 12 tackles and 0.5 TFL … recorded 1+ tackle in seven games, including a season-high three at Georgia Tech and Miami … added 0.5 TFL versus Ole Miss in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl ... finished the bowl tilt with two stops ... on the field for 199 snaps.

2023: Played in four games against Lafayette, Northwestern, NC State and Florida State … compiled seven tackles, 1.5 TFL and 1.0 sack … recorded 1+ tackles in three games with a season-high five against Northwestern … added 1.0 TFL and 1.0 sack against the Wildcats ... on the field for 61 snaps.

PRIOR TO DUKE: Lettered two seasons at Quince Orchard under head coach John Kelly … rated a three-star prospect by ESPN.com and 247Sports.com … listed as the No. 53 outside linebacker in the country by ESPN.com … charted as the No. 12 and No. 19 prospect from the state of Maryland according to ESPN.com and 247Sports.com, respectively … recorded 92 tackles and 14.0 sacks while scoring 13 TDs as a tight end … set school record for TDs by a tight end with 12 during senior season … helped lead Quince Orchard to a 28-0 ledger and back-to-back Maryland 4A State Championship titles over final two seasons … two-time first team all-Met pick ... MCPS 4A Player of the Year as a senior.

PERSONAL: Majoring in sociology while pursuing a certificate in innovation & entrepreneurship ... son of Marcus and Wendy Johnson … brother, Caleb, lettered four years in football at Houston Baptist University (2016; 18-19-20), graduating fourth in career tackles (278) and second in sacks (10.0) and was named the Southland Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference in 2020 before signing a free agent contract with the NFL’s Chicago Bears in 2021 and currently plays for the Miami Dolphins … brother, Kyle, lettered two years in men’s basketball at Delaware State University (2023-24) after lettering four seasons at Cal State University Monterey Bay (2018; 20-21-22).