2018 (Redshirt Senior): Had a breakout campaign as a senior after moving from defensive back to outside linebacker in Georgia Tech’s 3-4 scheme … Started all 13 games at OLB and recorded 66 tackles (second on the team), 7.5 tackles for loss (second on the team) and two sacks (tied for third on the team) … Also recovered a fumble … Tallied multiple tackles in 12-of-13 games … Had just 17 tackles through six contests (2.8 pg) but closed the season with 49 stops over the final seven games of the campaign (7.0 pg) … Impressive closing stretch included four-straight games with nine tackles apiece (Nov. 3 at North Carolina, Nov. 10 vs. Miami, Nov. 17 vs. Virginia, Nov. 24 at Georgia) … Also recorded 5.5 tackles for loss during the impressive four-game stretch to close out the regular season … Was named ACC Linebacker of the Week after notching nine stops (eight solo) and three tackles for loss in Georgia Tech’s bowl eligibility clinching win vs. Miami (Nov. 10) … Wrapped up the impressive finish to his career with six tackles and a sack in the Quick Lane Bowl vs. Minnesota (Dec. 26) … A graduate student, was named to ACC all-academic team for performance on the field and in the classroom.
2017 (Redshirt Junior): Appeared in all 11 games as a reserve defensive back and special-teams standout … Recorded 20 total tackles … Ranked second on the team with nine special-teams tackles (six on kickoffs, three on punts) … Tallied at least one tackle in 10-of-11 games and multiple stops in 7-of-11 contests … Had three tackles in season opener against Tennessee (Sept. 4) … Notched a career-high-tying four stops at Virginia (Nov. 4) … Had two tackles apiece against Pitt (Sept. 23), Wake Forest (Oct. 21), Virginia Tech (Nov. 11) and Georgia (Nov. 25).
2016 (Redshirt Sophomore): Appeared in 11 games, primarily on special teams … Nine of his 10 tackles came in three games — three (two solo) versus Vanderbilt (Sept. 17), two (both solo) versus Miami (Oct. 1) and a career-high four (all solo) in TaxSlayer Bowl win over Kentucky (Dec. 31) … Tied for third on the team with three special-teams tackles.
2015 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in 10 games, seeing action on special teams … Made collegiate debut vs. Alcorn State (Sept. 3) … Did not record any stats.
2014 (True Freshman): Redshirted.
High School: Lettered four seasons under coach Don Jacobs at Oneonta H.S. … Three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals.com and Scout.com … Served two years as team captain … Named all-state and voted one of top 25 players in state of Alabama as a junior … Earned all-area honors and helped lead Oneonta to Alabama Class 4A state championship games as a sophomore and junior in 2011 and 2012 … Caught 57 passes for 900 yards as junior while recording 88 tackles with five interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) … Tore ACL and meniscus during preseason game in 2013 and did not play his entire senior season but remained a team leader for squad that won state championship … Named to academic honor roll … Was also member of state championship 4×400-meter relay team in track and member of basketball team that reached state semifinals.
Personal: Full name is Jalen Ke’shawn Johnson … Born May 25, 1996 in Birmingham, Ala. … Son of James and Chastity Johnson … Has four siblings – Zac, Taya, Gia and Jag … Chose Georgia Tech because “I can get a great education while playing the sport I love,” proximity to home and coaching staff … Began playing football at age six … Active in cancer organizations, American Heart Association and Big Brothers/Big Sisters … Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in May 2018 … Is one of seven current Yellow Jackets that have already earned bachelor’s degrees (joining fellow Tech grads Cheyenne Hunt, Tre’ Jackson, Andrew Marshall and Tyler Merriweather and incoming graduate transfers Malik Rivera and Zach Roberts) … Currently pursuing a master’s degree in building construction … Member of ACC academic honor roll.
CAREER HIGHS
Tackles: 4, twice – last at Virginia, Nov. 4, 2017
Solo Tackles: 4 vs. Kentucky, Dec. 31, 2016
Tackles for Loss: 1.0 at No. 7 Clemson, Oct. 28, 2017
