Jakob Elijah Johnson (born 15 December 1994) is a German-American professional football fullback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and entered the NFL in 2019 through the league’s International Player Pathway Program, signing with the New England Patriots. Johnson has since played for the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, and returned to the Texans organization in 2025. He is notable as one of the first International Player Pathway participants to achieve roster status and score an NFL touchdown.
Early Life and Background
Johnson was born in Stuttgart, Germany, on 15 December 1994, as Jakob Weinmann to an African-American father and a German mother. He later adopted his father’s surname, Johnson. In 2013, he graduated from the technical Gymnasium Max-Eyth-Schule in Germany after completing the Abitur, Germany’s university-preparatory secondary school diploma. During his youth in Germany, Johnson played for the Stuttgart Scorpions on their Under-19 team, where he began developing his football skills in the German Football League system.
In his senior year of high school, Johnson moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in the United States to further his football career. He attended Jean Ribault High School in Jacksonville, where he established himself as a four-star recruit. His athletic performance and academic standing caught the attention of major college programs, ultimately leading him to accept a scholarship to play at the University of Tennessee.
College Career at Tennessee
Johnson joined the Tennessee Volunteers in 2014 as a linebacker, transitioning from his European football experience to American college football at the NCAA Division I level. He played for the Volunteers from 2014 to 2017. Throughout his college career, Johnson maintained strong academic performance, earning a spot on the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll for three consecutive seasons. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in kinesiology, demonstrating his commitment to both athletics and academics.
Beyond football, Johnson became a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, further immersing himself in the collegiate experience and building lasting connections within the university community.
Professional Career
Stuttgart Scorpions Return (2018)
Following his graduation from the University of Tennessee in 2018, Johnson returned to Germany to play for the Stuttgart Scorpions of the German Football League. In his season with the Scorpions, Johnson recorded 43 receptions for 474 yards and four touchdowns, along with 10 rushing attempts for 46 yards. He appeared in 12 games for a team that finished with a 4-12 record on the season. This stint provided valuable game experience as he prepared to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL.
New England Patriots and International Player Pathway (2019–2021)
Johnson entered the NFL through the International Player Pathway Program and signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent on 8 April 2019. He was released during final roster cuts on 31 August but went unclaimed on waivers. Under the program’s structure, he was automatically assigned to the Patriots’ practice squad. Because New England chose not to register Johnson as an international player, he counted against the standard 10-man practice squad limit, making him eligible to be signed to the active roster during the season.
Johnson was promoted from the practice squad on 21 September 2019 following an injury to fullback James Develin. He became the first International Player Pathway player to be activated and play in an NFL game. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on 14 October with a shoulder injury. In four games played during the 2019 season, he recorded one reception for five yards and took 94 total snaps, including 71 on offense and 23 on special teams.
For the 2020 NFL season, Johnson made the Patriots’ 53-man roster out of training camp, becoming the second International Player Pathway player to achieve this after Efe Obada. In Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football, Johnson scored his first NFL touchdown on a one-yard reception from quarterback Cam Newton. This score made him the first International Player Pathway player to score a touchdown, the first offensive player from Germany to score in the NFL, and the second German player overall. He appeared in all 16 games and started 11 during the 2020 season.
On 25 March 2021, the Patriots re-signed Johnson to a one-year contract. He appeared in all 17 regular-season games, starting six, and also played in the Patriots’ playoff game against the Buffalo Bills.
Las Vegas Raiders (2022–2023)
Johnson signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on 17 March 2022. During the 2022 season, he appeared in all 17 games and started nine, contributing on both offense and special teams. His versatility and consistency earned him a one-year contract extension on 15 March 2023.
The 2023 season brought more roster movement for Johnson. He was released by the Raiders on 17 November but re-signed to the practice squad four days later. He was promoted to the active roster on 29 December. Throughout the regular season, he appeared in 13 games with five starts, continuing to split time between offensive and special teams duties.
New York Giants (2024)
On 16 August 2024, Johnson signed with the New York Giants. His tenure with the Giants involved several roster transactions. He was released during final roster cuts on 27 August and re-signed to the practice squad. After a brief stint on the active roster in early September, he returned to the practice squad before being released again on 19 November 2024.
Houston Texans (2025–Present)
On 18 March 2025, Johnson signed with the Houston Texans. He signed a one-year contract with a base salary of $1.04 million, expandable with bonuses up to $1.17 million. He was released on 26 August as part of the team’s final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad.
Johnson was elevated to the active roster for Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams and elevated again on 14 September, when he recorded a blocked punt while playing on special teams. On 20 September, he was signed to the active roster. He was placed on injured reserve on 26 September after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was activated on 15 November ahead of the team’s Week 11 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Johnson was waived by Houston on 8 December and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.
Business Ventures
In February 2022, Johnson publicly announced his investment in the Stuttgart Surge, an American football club based in Germany. He became a co-owner of the franchise, which later joined the European League of Football. This investment reflects Johnson’s commitment to growing the sport of American football in his home country and providing opportunities for future generations of German players.
Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career spanning multiple seasons with four different franchises, Johnson has established himself as a reliable fullback capable of contributing on offense and special teams.
| Season | Team | Games | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | New England Patriots | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| 2020 | New England Patriots | 16 | 3 | 24 | 1 |
| 2021 | New England Patriots | 17 | 4 | 25 | 0 |
| 2022 | Las Vegas Raiders | 17 | 5 | 21 | 0 |
| 2023 | Las Vegas Raiders | 13 | 3 | 13 | 0 |
| 2024 | New York Giants | Season with roster transactions | – | – | – |
| 2025 | Houston Texans | In progress | 3 | 17 | 0 |
As of the 2025 season, Johnson has recorded 19 career receptions for 105 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown across his NFL tenure.
Legacy and Impact
Jakob Johnson’s journey from Stuttgart, Germany, to the NFL represents a significant milestone for international players in American football. As one of the first participants to navigate the International Player Pathway Program successfully, Johnson helped pave the way for future European athletes seeking to compete in the NFL. His achievements on the field, including being the first International Player Pathway player to score a touchdown, have made him a pioneer for German football and European talent in the league.
Beyond his playing career, Johnson’s investment in the Stuttgart Surge demonstrates his commitment to the sport’s growth in Europe. He continues to serve as a role model for young athletes in Germany and across Europe who dream of playing at the highest level of American football.