#99

Stephen Johnson

DL · South Alabama · So. · #99

Returning to South Alabama for 2026
This season's coverage starts August 26 — check back once kickoff hits.

Stephen Johnson

DL · South Alabama · So · #99

Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.

Career Arc

HS
Recruit
★★★
#1437 national
CFB
College
South Alabama
2025
NFL
NFL Draft
Not drafted (yet)

2025 snapshot

Season context · Team result + system

2025South Alabama4-8HC: Major Applewhite · Run-heavy

Career stats

SeasonTeam
2025South Alabama1621.50.01----
Career1621.50.01----

Signature game

SIGNATURE GAME · Week 1 · 2025

W 38–21

vs Morgan State

3 TOT

How he plays

Play style

Controls the point of attack and doesn't move.

CFB Index positional classification

2026 Outlook

South Alabama

2026 Depth chart

Projected starter

Defensive line · South Alabama

Returning around him

  • 25% of 2024 offensive production back (Heavy turnover)
  • Transfer portal: -18 net (12 in / 30 out)

2026 Award watch

No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)

South Alabama · Last season: 4-8 · Talent rank #102 · 2026 recruiting class #77

DNA match

Player DNA

Nose Anchor

The heaviest frame on the interior. Sack production is intentionally not the point of this profile.

IDL

His 2025 production profile sits closest to Kayden McDonald’s 2024 season.

Ohio State · 2024

NFL Rd 2 · Pk 4
#2

Tai Newhouse

Tulsa · 2024

84%
#3

Marquis Gracial

Missouri · 2025

79%
#4

Kenean Caldwell

Kansas · 2021

79%
#5

Nazir Stackhouse

Georgia · 2022

79%

Matches Kayden on

Weight
Height
Class year

Differs from Kayden on

Hurry rate (lower)

Not enough data yet for this comparison.

As a freshman, his production profile tracks closest to Kai McClendon's freshman season at Mississippi State (2024).

Mississippi State · 2024

#2

Saint Farrior

App State · 2025

80%
#3

Jamarious Brown

Ole Miss · 2023

79%
#4

Kenean Caldwell

Kansas · 2021

76%
#5

C.J. Fite

Arizona State · 2023

All-Big 12
75%

Matches Kai on

Class year
Weight
Sack rate

Heisman trajectory

Heisman futures · sportsbook market

#30 in market ▼ from #23 · 5 books

+50002.0% implied▲ tightened from +6600

Heisman Trajectory · 2025

Peak #13696

Final rank
#14103
Avg #13941.0
Finalist prob 0%

Peaked at #13696 this season.