Defensive Lineman Brett Johnson to Miss 2021 Season

Brett Johnson, whom Cal was counting on to be a stabilizing force in the defensive line, will miss the 2021 season entirely the school announced Wednesday.

Johnson is recovering from injuries he sustained in a recent auto accident. The 6-5, 300-pounder underwent surgery to repair a broken hip, Cal said in a statement. It also said that Johnson is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for the 2022 season. 

"While we will certainly miss Brett on the field this coming season, the most important thing right now is that he focus on his overall health and well-being," head coach Justin Wilcox said. "As his teammates and coaches, we will help him through this difficult time. When he is ready to return to the field, we will welcome him with open arms."

Johnson also was quoted in the statement. "I appreciate all of the support I have received from my family, friends, teammates, coaches and so many others since the accident," Johnson said. "I am looking forward to making a full recovery and getting back on the field in 2022."

It was not disclosed when the accident occurred. But it could have happened sometime between the start of spring practice Feb. 24 and the Spring Game March 20. Johnson practiced during the early workouts, but was unavailable for the Spring Game.

After working primarily as an interior lineman in 2019 and 2020, Johnson practiced at defensive end in the spring. He was projected as a starter at the position going into fall camp. Other DE possibilities include sophomore Ethan Saunders, junior JH Tevis, sophomore Jaedon Roberts, freshman Akiii Calhoun and maybe even redshirt frosh DT Stanley McKenzie..  

 Johnson has played in 17 games with 13 starts. He started all four games in last year’s abbreviated season and was credited with 20 tackles, including 1.5 sacks.

He earned third-team Freshman All-American and third-team All-Pac-12 honors from Pro Football Focus as a 2019 freshman when he played in all 13 games with nine starts and contributed career highs of 26 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss (career-high -18 yards), as well as a career-high-tying 1.5 sacks (career-high -12 yards), and his lone career quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery.

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