BRIAN JOHNSTON #97

Position	Defensive End
Height	6-4
Weight	269
Years Experience	R
Birthdate	5/2/1986
Hometown	San Diego, CA
College	Gardner-Webb
Current status	Injured Reserve
Games Started	0
Games Played	0

College Bio

Promising pass rusher joined the Chiefs as their first of two seventh-round selections (210th overall) outside in the 2008 NFL Draft … Entered NCAA Division I-AA Gardner-Webb as an outside linebacker before switching to the defensive line … Emerged as one of the top defensive prospects outside the Division I ranks … Finished collegiate career as the Big South Conference’s all-time leader with 21.0 sacks and 55.5 tackles for loss … A Buck Buchanan Award finalist as a senior, set school records for tackles for loss (55.0) and QB pressures (69) ... Earned first-team All-Big South honors three times and was twice named Big South Defensive Player of the Year … Played in 42 games (40 starts) at Gardner-Webb, totaling 268 tackles (124 solo), 21.0 sacks (-140.0 yards) and 55.5 tackles for loss (-257.0 yards) ... Also added 10 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, six passes defensed, 69 QB pressures and one blocked kick … Caught a three-yard TD pass on offense, as well.

2007: Started all 11 games at left defensive end, recording 74 tackles (34 solo) and leading the Big South with 24.0 tackles for loss … Also led the team and ranked second in the conference with 6.0 sacks and 22 QB pressures, as well as adding a forced fumble, three passes defensed and a three-yard TD catch on offense … Earned numerous first-team All-America selections and was named first-team All-Big South Conference en route to winning the league’s Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second straight season … Was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award which is given to the top defensive player in the Championship Subdivision ranks … Was a three-time winner of Big South Defensive Player of the Week honors.

2006: Opened all 11 contests at left defensive end, totaling 77 tackles (35 solo), 14.0 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, 23 QB pressures, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery … His 8.0 sacks led the Big South and helped him earn second-team All-America honors by The NFL Draft Report, AP and Football Gazette … Named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year and was also a first-team All-Big South pick.

2005: Started all 11 games in his first season at right defensive end, tallying 59 tackles (28 solo) ... Led the team with 5.0 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss, while adding four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 15 QB pressures, one pass defensed and a blocked kick … Earned first-team All-Big South honors.

2004: Appeared in nine games as a true freshman making seven starts at outside linebacker … Racked up 58 tackles (24 solo), 2.0 sacks, 5.0 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, nine QB pressures and two passes defensed … Majored in Sociology at Gardner-Webb.

Personal Bio

• A standout defensive end at Madison High School in San Diego, California.

• Was a two-time first-team All-Harbor League selection as a junior and senior.

• Totaled 82 tackles (30 solo), 10.0 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and six passes defensed during his senior campaign.

• A member of the San Diego Union-Tribune All-Academic Team and was a High School Heisman nominee.

• Became the first player the Chiefs took from Gardner-Webb when they selected him with the first of their two seventh-round picks (210th overall) in 2008.

• Full name: Brian Thomas Johnston.

• Single, resides in San Diego, California.