UCLA is 8-0, No. 5 in the AP poll (week 10).
4 stories in the last 30 days, from 2 outlets.
Played for two head coaches across four seasons and two programs. One game to point at: 2 tackles against California — Week 1, 2026.
2 tackles · 0 sacks
Play style
Moves between deep coverage and the slot.
Closest statistical matches, adjusted for opponent strength.
from 2 outlets
247Sports Oct 21 · 1 outlet
from 2 outlets
247Sports Oct 21 · 1 outlet
On3Each week: his team’s game, the stories about him that week, and the week’s biggest news headline.
Stories we tracked, by school.
UCLA7 stories2026 to nowMost about: recruiting.
On3Safety Tao Johnson on Unlikely UCLA Recruitment, Potential of DefenseAug 21247SportsUCLA football injury report: Mikey Matthews, Tao Johnson to miss Purdue gameSep 16247SportsUCLA football injury report: Tao Johnson to miss third straight game against MarylandSep 23247SportsUCLA football injury report: Tao Johnson probable for Oregon gameOct 7247SportsUCLA football injury report: Tao Johnson to miss Wisconsin game, Rodrick Pleasant questionableOct 14
Utah4 stories2022 to 2025Most about: performance and stat line, in his words.
On3Exclusive: One-on-one with UCLA safety Tao JohnsonJun 18Stories are headlines grouped by what they are about, counted through Nov 4.
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Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 2 games
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| Wk | Opp | TKL | SOLO | TFL | SACK | INT | PD | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | W 45-24@ California | 2 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | Season-high 2 tackles |
| Wk 6 | W 17-15@ No. 13 Oregon | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | |
| Total | 2 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 |
0 tackles, including 1 interception. His interception ended Oregon’s drive (int).
Intercepted. Third quarter, up 10-6. Ended Oregon’s drive (int).
2 tackles.
Each small tick is one of his tackles on the play-by-play. His sacks are drawn as sacks.
Splits
Per-game splits
Through 2 games: 1.0 TKL/g, 0.0 TFL/g, 0.0 SACK/g, 0.0 PD/g — splits start at 3 games.
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Bob Chesney
Pass share
40.8%
218 pass / 316 run
Plays / game
66.8
8 games
Team sack rate
4.6%
241 dropbacks · PBP
Scheme: Run-leaning.
Player standing · 2026
Fewer tackles a game than most FBS defensive backs who play every week.
2026 is in progress.
A stat line in 38 games over four seasons.
Coaching lineage · 2022–2026
2 coachesPlayed for 2 head coaches at 2 schools: Kyle Whittingham and Bob Chesney.
Next stop · Transfer
Transferred to UCLA
