Tao Johnson

S·UCLA#188 overall
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Draft Movement

#143 · Jun 8#188 · now

Down 45 spots since Jun 8

Scouting Report

Tao Johnson is a converted-receiver free safety with rare range and ball skills who transferred from Utah to UCLA for 2026. Born March 2003, the 6'1", 193-pound Idaho Falls native arrived in Salt Lake City as a three-star wideout and former high school quarterback with track speed, having won an Idaho 5A 100-meter title at 10.82, before Utah's staff flipped him to defense. After playing nickel as a starter in 2023, he slid to free safety in 2024 once Cole Bishop and Sione Vaki left for the NFL and broke out, posting 70 tackles, an interception against Arizona, and a 77-yard blocked-field-goal return for a touchdown against Baylor, earning an 82.5 PFF grade among the Big 12's elite safeties. NFLDraftBuzz ranks him DB31 with an 81.8 rating, while Bucs Wire credits his career marks of 154 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 13 pass breakups alongside a 75.2 career PFF coverage grade. Scouts love the closing speed from the deep middle, receiver-honed tracking, and disguise ability that baits quarterbacks, plus standout special-teams value. The concerns are an undersized frame that gets swallowed by power backs, tackling that breaks down in space, and only two full seasons on defense. Most boards land him in the Day 2 to early Day 3 range as a single-high free safety or big nickel.

Strengths

  • Born March 2003
  • freakish range and closing speed to erase mistakes deep, listed at 4.44
  • Receiver background gives natural ball-hawk tracking and route anticipation
  • 154 career tackles, 3 INTs and 13 pass breakups with a 75.2 career PFF coverage grade
  • 82.5 PFF grade in 2024 among the Big 12's elite safeties
  • Violent striker near the line who plays bigger than 193 pounds
  • Disguises coverage and baits quarterbacks with false pre-snap looks
  • Smooth backpedal-to-drive transition breaking on underneath routes

Weaknesses

  • Undersized 193-pound frame gets swallowed by bigger backs and tight ends in run support
  • Tackling technique breaks down in space, aims high and misses wrap-ups
  • Leaves interceptions on the field, does not finish at the catch point consistently
  • Aggressive gambler who bites on play-action and vacates deep responsibility
  • Only two full seasons on defense raises pattern-recognition questions
  • Likely needs to add weight or move to big nickel to stick

NFL Comparison

Jevon Holland-style converted receiver-athlete with deep range and slot flex; Julian Blackmon Utah free safety with ball skills and closing speed; Budda Baker undersized but fearless single-high striker

College Stats

2022 Utah: WR/special teams, 5 G. 2023 (nickel): 33 tkl, 5 PBU, 12 starts. 2024 (FS): 70 tkl, 1 INT, 5 PD, 77-yd blocked-FG TD, 82.5 PFF. Career: 154 tkl, 3 INT, 13 PBU; 75.2 PFF coverage.

Measurables

Height
6'1"
Weight
193

Awards & Honors

2024 CSC Academic All-District and Academic All-Big 12; NFLDraftBuzz DB31, 81.8 rating; B/R 2026 safety riser; Sportstalk top-72 board; Idaho 5A 100m state champion (10.82)