2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Tysheem Johnson, Safety, Oregon

Tysheem Johnson | ||||
Oregon | ||||
Free Safety/Strong Safety | ||||
Height: 5100 | Weight: 200 Lbs | Year: Senior | Jersey #: 0 | Hometown: Philadelphia, PA |
Games Reviewed: Boise State, Ohio State(1), Illinois, Penn State, Utah (2023) | ||||
2024 Stats: 67 TOT, 38 Solo, 3 Int | ||||
Career Stats: 262 TOT, 131 Solo, 10 PD, 2 Sacks, 6 Int | ||||
Scouting Report by: Hunter Kirkhope |
Critical Factors | ||
3-Level Impact | FBI/Instincts | Play Speed |
7 | 7 | 7 |
Positional Factors | ||
Man Coverage | Zone Coverage | Range |
6 | 7 | 7 |
Ball Skills/Tracking | Tackling | Blitz |
8 | 7 | 6 |
Physicality | Communication | ST Value |
6 | 7 | 8 |
Strengths | Weaknesses |
Awareness and instincts | Inconsistent angles in run support |
Versatility to play man and zone | struggles with physical receivers |
High Play speed | lacks ideal size and length |
Overall
Tysheem Johnson is a versatile, instinctive safety who excels in coverage and offers value in run support. His ability to impact the game at all three levels, combined with his above-average play speed, makes him a solid asset for any defense. Johnson is particularly effective in zone coverage, where his awareness and ball skills allow him to disrupt passing lanes and capitalize on turnovers. However, his size and lack of consistent physicality against larger opponents occasionally limit his effectiveness. While his football IQ ensures he remains a consistent playmaker, refining his tackling technique and ability to disengage from blocks will be essential for him to reach his ceiling as a reliable rotational safety or potential starter in specific schemes.
Pass Game
In the passing game, Johnson’s strong ball skills and play diagnosis stand out as key strengths. His awareness allows him to read the quarterback effectively, and his quick reactions help him disrupt routes and create opportunities for turnovers. Johnson is particularly adept in zone coverage, where his instincts and range enable him to patrol the secondary and anticipate throws. While his man coverage is serviceable, especially against slot receivers, his lack of size and struggles against physical pass catchers limit his effectiveness in certain matchups. Continued development in his ability to close on deep throws and handle contested situations will further enhance his role as a coverage safety and valuable contributor on passing downs.
Run Game
Johnson is an aggressive and willing-run defender who plays with a relentless motor. He consistently demonstrates effort in pursuing ball carriers and making plays near the line of scrimmage. While his tackling is effective in the open field, his inconsistent angles and occasional struggles disengaging from blocks diminish his overall impact in run defense. Johnson’s ability to read run plays and react quickly allows him to arrive at the point of attack with purpose, but improved strength and physicality will help him better handle bigger offensive players. By refining his block-shedding technique and discipline in run support, Johnson can elevate his value as a complementary defender who thrives in certain defensive packages.
Last Word
Johnson projects as a rotational safety or role-playing starter in a defense that values versatility and situational playmaking. His instincts and ball skills make him a strong contributor in coverage, particularly in zone-heavy schemes, while his toughness and motor ensure he remains active in the run game. With improvements in tackling consistency, block disengagement, and handling physical matchups, Johnson could develop into a more complete safety capable of filling multiple roles. His special teams value and above-average play speed further enhance his appeal as a contributor on all four downs.
One-Liner
Tysheem Johnson is an instinctive, versatile safety with above-average ball skills, high effort, and solid play speed, excelling in zone coverage and special teams.
Grade: 6.4 – Ceiling: 6.7 (15%) – Floor: 6.2 (30%) – Round: 4
Best Fit Teams:
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers’ secondary values safeties with strong football IQ and the ability to contribute in both coverage and run support. Johnson’s awareness and play speed would make him a valuable rotational piece in the Steelers’ defensive backfield.
2. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens’ defensive scheme places a premium on safeties who can play multiple roles and provide versatility in coverage. Johnson’s ability to handle both man and zone coverage would make him an effective piece in Baltimore’s secondary.
3. New England Patriots
New England values safeties who can adjust to complex coverage schemes and provide run support. Johnson’s instincts and ability to track the ball would give the Patriots a reliable rotational piece with starting potential.
Hunter Kirkhope is an experienced sports data analyst with a strong background in scouting and live data collection. He currently works as a Live Data Analyst at Sports Info Solutions (SIS), where he scouts collegiate football athletes and writes detailed scouting reports based on performance analysis. His expertise includes collecting and analyzing real-time data from USFL games and Division I college football programs, including the University of Akron, Ohio State University, and the University of Pittsburgh.
Hunter’s work at SIS includes providing valuable insights to optimize team performance and inform strategic decisions using industry-standard tools such as Banjo and Connect Teams. He has demonstrated his analytical skills by tracking live statistics for March Madness 2024 and 2025 games and completing a sports analytics certification course through a mock college football game evaluation.
In addition to his professional experience, Hunter has a strong educational foundation in sports analytics and data science. He is pursuing a degree in Sports Data Analytics and Statistics at the University of Akron, where he has excelled in courses like Programming for Data Science, Survival Analytics, Statistical Data Management, and Advanced Statistical Computing. He has also competed in the 2023 and 2024 Cleveland Cavaliers Hackathons, applying his data analysis skills in a competitive environment.
Hunter’s background includes managing game-day operations and logistics as part of the Akron Facilities Staff, as well as serving as the Head Field Crew Manager for the Twinsburg Baseball League. His experience in coordinating events, managing personnel, and maintaining professional environments reflects his strong leadership and operational skills.
Hunter’s technical proficiency includes working with tools like SAS, SPSS, R, Python, C++, and Matlab, along with a deep understanding of sports data collection and performance analysis. His analytical approach and hands-on experience make him a valuable asset in the field of sports analytics and scouting.