Nolan Johnson

Position:
Cornerback
Height:
6-2
Weight:
194
Class:
Sophomore
Hometown:
High Point
High School:
Southwest Guilford
Major:
Communication

Followed an active true freshman debut with limited action as a sophomore in 2019 … Hopes to re-establish himself as a key contributor in the secondary, potentially at one of the safety positions while vying for depth chart placement … Also likely to gain additional reps as a special teams performer given prior game-day experience.

2019: Was able to utilize redshirt year as action was limited to just three games – William & Mary, Old Dominion and Temple – as a reserve strong safety and member of special teams … Booked eight tackles (two solo) … Established a personal-best with seven stops in a prime-time, nationally-televised Thursday AAC battle against the Owls … Other hit came vs. the Monarchs less than a week earlier … On defense, five tackles came on pass plays and two on rushes … Was credited with a special teams stop on a kickoff return.

2018: Forced into immediate action as a true rookie, playing in all 12 games during true rookie campaign and opening two contests at the free safety position … Started the season opener against North Carolina A&T and the first American Athletic Conference clash of the year at USF … Credited with 23 tackles (7 solo) … Also booked a half TFL (-3 yards vs. Cincinnati), a pass breakup (N.C. A&T) and a quarterback pressure (UCF) … Posted two or more stops in eight contests, which included a season-high six vs. the Knights, four against Old Dominion and three vs. Temple … Recorded a pair of hits in outings against N.C. A&T, North Carolina, USF, Cincinnati and NC State … Opened collegiate career with a streak of two or more tackles in his first five-straight games (13 total) … Did not record defensive statistics in four contests (Houston, Memphis, Tulane, Connecticut) … Splits include 13 stops on rushes and 10 tackles on pass plays … Part of a unit which ranked third nationally in TFLs (8.8 tpg), 22^nd in sacks (2.8 spg) and 35^th in fewest first downs allowed (243) … Officially enrolled early (January) at ECU and participated with the Pirates in spring drills … Earned “Top Defensive Newcomer” honors at the conclusion of spring workouts.

High School: A three-year starter and team captain in the Southwest Guilford secondary for coach Eric Rainey … Tallied 19 tackles, 10 pass breakups and one forced fumble in limited action (thumb injury) as a senior … Part of a Cowboys’ program which earned a runner-up finish in the Piedmont Triad 3A Conference (5-1 record) and advanced to the second round of the NCHSAA 3A Playoffs … Racked up 35 stops, nine pass deflections, four interceptions and a forced fumble in 2016 as a junior … Opened varsity career with 40 tackles, 11 pass breakups and a trio of picks during sophomore campaign … Earned invitation to represent North Carolina in the prestigious Shrine Bowl and participated at the 2017 Nike Combine … Officially made commitment to ECU on July 1, 2017 … Also recruited by Air Force, Appalachian State, Maryland and Yale … Earned multiple letters as a track standout, competing in the 100, 200, 400, 300 hurdles, long jump and on various relay teams (4x1, 4x2 and 4x4).

Personal: Full name is Nolan Maximillion Johnson … Son of Jerome and Sabrina Johnson … Born at High Point, N.C. … A communication major who earned ECU Honor Roll kudos for classroom work during the 2019 and 2020 spring semesters … Mother lettered in volleyball and track at Appalachian State … Enjoys watching Netflix.