Ty Marquise Johnson Bio
Ty Marquise Johnson is an American professional football running back and kickoff returner for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins from 2015 to 2018. Johnson grew up in Cumberland, Maryland, and had a standout high school career at Fort Hill High School where he led the Sentinels to back-to-back Maryland 1A State Football Championships in 2013 and 2014. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft and has since played for the New York Jets before joining the Buffalo Bills.
Early Life and Background
Johnson was born on September 17, 1997, in Cumberland, Maryland. He attended Fort Hill High School in his hometown, where he quickly established himself as a versatile playmaker. Johnson was a multi-year starter at both running back and defensive back, showcasing his athletic versatility early in his career.
During his junior and senior seasons in 2013 and 2014, Johnson led Fort Hill to consecutive Maryland 1A State Football Championships. His exceptional performance earned him the Area High School Football Player of the Year award from the Cumberland Times-News for both seasons. In 2014, Johnson was named to the Maryland High School Consensus All-State team by the Maryland High School Football Foundation. Over his two full varsity seasons, he accumulated nearly 5,000 all-purpose yards and 65 touchdowns.
Path to American Football
Johnson was rated as a three-star college prospect coming out of high school. He was ranked as the 20th best recruit in the state of Maryland and the 64th best running back prospect in the country by Rivals. After receiving a scholarship offer from then-head coach Randy Edsall at a football camp at Maryland Stadium in June 2014, Johnson verbally committed to the Maryland Terrapins. He officially signed his letter of intent in February 2015. While he was recruited by other programs, Maryland was the only Football Bowl Subdivision program to extend a scholarship offer to Johnson.
At Maryland, Johnson developed into one of the most dynamic players in the program’s history. In four seasons with the Terrapins, he accumulated 4,196 all-purpose yards, ranking third in program history. During his sophomore season in 2016, Johnson set Maryland’s single-season yards per carry record, averaging an impressive 9.1 yards per rushing attempt. He also excelled as a kick returner, finishing his collegiate career with 1,194 kick return yards and two return touchdowns, including a 100-yard return against Ohio State in 2017 and a 98-yard return against Michigan in 2018. Johnson graduated from Maryland in December 2018.
Ty Marquise Johnson Career
Detroit Lions (2019–2020)
Johnson entered the 2019 NFL Draft without an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine. However, he made a strong impression at Maryland’s pro day workout, where scouts from 29 NFL teams observed his performance. Johnson ran a 40-yard dash that most scouts clocked between 4.3 and 4.4 seconds, with one scout reportedly timing him as fast as 4.26 seconds. For comparison, the fastest 40-yard dash time among running backs at the 2019 Combine was 4.40 seconds by Justice Hill of Oklahoma State. Johnson also performed 27 repetitions of the 225-pound bench press and recorded a 34-inch vertical jump.
Despite his impressive pro day performance, Johnson was selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round with the 186th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He made his NFL debut in the Lions’ regular season opener against the Arizona Cardinals, recording a six-yard carry in the 27-27 tie. Johnson earned his first career start in Week 10 against the Chicago Bears, finishing with five carries for 16 rushing yards. Overall in his rookie season, he recorded 63 carries for 273 rushing yards and 24 receptions for 109 receiving yards. On October 1, 2020, Johnson was waived by the Lions.
New York Jets (2020–2022)
Johnson was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets on October 2, 2020. He quickly became a contributor to the Jets’ offense. In Week 13 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Johnson had a standout performance, rushing 22 times for 104 yards and a touchdown during the 31-28 loss. Two weeks later, in the Jets’ first win of the season against the Los Angeles Rams, Johnson rushed for 16 yards on three carries, added six receptions for 39 yards, and scored the Jets’ first touchdown on an 18-yard completion from quarterback Sam Darnold.
Johnson was re-signed by the Jets on March 28, 2023. However, he suffered a torn pectoral muscle during an offseason workout shortly thereafter. He was released by the Jets with a non-football injury designation on April 26, 2023, ending his tenure with the franchise.
Buffalo Bills (2023–Present)
On August 21, 2023, Johnson signed with the Buffalo Bills. He was waived on August 29 and re-signed to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on October 20, 2023. Johnson remained on the Bills’ active roster through the end of the 2023 regular season and into the postseason.
During the 2023 regular season with Buffalo, Johnson recorded 194 all-purpose yards and a receiving touchdown, which he scored in Week 11 against the New York Jets. In the Bills’ two postseason games, including a victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild card round and a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round, Johnson rushed 15 times for 66 yards. This performance pushed him over 1,000 total rushing yards for his NFL career.
Johnson re-signed with the Bills on March 19, 2024. He played in all 17 games for Buffalo during the 2024 season, including one start. He recorded 41 carries for 213 yards and 18 receptions for 284 yards, along with four total touchdowns. On March 11, 2025, Johnson re-signed with Buffalo on a two-year, $5 million contract.
Playing Style and Strengths
Johnson is known for his versatility as both a running back and kickoff returner. His explosiveness is highlighted by his elite 40-yard dash time, which made him one of the fastest running backs in his draft class. Johnson demonstrates exceptional elusiveness and the ability to make defenders miss in open space. His receiving skills out of the backfield add another dimension to his game, while his experience as a kick returner provides value on special teams. His vision and ability to find creases in the offensive line complement his speed and make him a dual-threat weapon in the Bills’ offense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Johnson’s most notable milestone came during the 2023 postseason when his rushing performance against the Steelers and Chiefs pushed him over the 1,000 career rushing yards threshold. His pro day performance in 2019, where he ran a sub-4.4 40-yard dash and recorded 27 bench press reps, remains a testament to his exceptional athleticism. His 104-yard rushing game against the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 stands as one of his best single-game performances in the NFL.
Ty Marquise Johnson Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2019 to present, Johnson has established himself as a reliable depth piece and special teams contributor. His career statistics reflect his dual-threat ability as both a rusher and receiver.
NFL Career Highlights
In his NFL career through the 2025 season, Johnson has accumulated 1,470 rushing yards on 326 carries for an average of 4.5 yards per attempt, with eight rushing touchdowns. He has also contributed significantly as a receiver with 135 receptions for 1,277 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns. As a kick returner, he has recorded 779 return yards. His most productive season came with the Jets in 2021, highlighted by his 104-yard rushing performance against Las Vegas.
2025 Season Performance
Johnson finished the 2025 season with the Buffalo Bills appearing in all 17 games. He recorded 50 carries for 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns, along with 24 receptions for 263 yards and two receiving touchdowns. His two-year, $5 million contract signed in March 2025 reflects the Bills’ confidence in his ability to contribute as a depth running back and special teams player. Johnson continues to serve as a versatile weapon in the Bills’ offensive scheme, providing experience and reliability in his role.
Ty Marquise Johnson Family
Family Background
Johnson grew up in Cumberland, Maryland, where his athletic achievements at Fort Hill High School made him a local standout. His family background and upbringing in Cumberland played a significant role in his development as a football player. While detailed information about his parents and family members is not publicly available, Johnson’s success at Fort Hill suggests a supportive environment that fostered his athletic talents.
Personal Life
Johnson continues to pursue his NFL career as a member of the Buffalo Bills. Information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children is not publicly available. His active presence on social media, including his Instagram account, provides fans with updates on his professional activities and career milestones.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked another year of steady contribution for Johnson with the Buffalo Bills. He appeared in all 17 regular season games, demonstrating his reliability and durability within the Bills’ offensive rotation. His production on the ground and through the air showed his continued ability to be a factor in the Bills’ game plan when called upon.
Johnson’s contract situation was resolved early in the offseason when he signed a two-year, $5 million deal in March 2025. This contract reflects his value as an experienced depth running back who understands the Bills’ system and can contribute on special teams. His 50 carries and 24 receptions demonstrate his role as a change-of-pace back who can also serve as a safety valve in the passing game.
Looking ahead, Johnson’s veteran presence provides stability to the Bills’ running back room. His ability to contribute in multiple phases of the game, combined with his playoff experience from the 2023 season, makes him a valuable asset as Buffalo continues its pursuit of a Super Bowl championship. His relationship with the coaching staff and familiarity with the offensive playbook position him well for continued contributions in the 2026 season and beyond.