The Cincinnati Bengals selected Ole Miss defensive end Cedric Johnson at No. 214 in the NFL Draft on Saturday.
The sixth-round pick was a standout at Davidson High School in Mobile.
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Johnson played linebacker when he arrived at Ole Miss in 2020. But he started 29 games at defensive end in his next three seasons with the Rebels.
Johnson recorded 19 sacks and 22 tackles for loss while at Ole Miss, including 5.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss in 2023.
Johnson received the Chucky Mullins Courage Award for 2023. The award is presented annually to Ole Miss’ upperclassman defensive player who embodies the courage, leadership, perseverance and determination of Mullins, who was paralyzed by an injury suffered during the 1989 homecoming game. Mullins died less than two years later.
After his senior season, Johnson came home to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, then went to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Johnson measured 6-foot-3, weighed 260 pounds and ran a 4.63-second 40-yard dash at the combine.
Johnson earned All-State recognition at Davidson in 2019, when he recorded 16 sacks for the Warriors.
His brother, Cephus Johnson III, spent the 2023 NFL season on the practice squad of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The wide receiver is on Tampa Bay’s offseason roster.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.