Kamhariyan Johnson

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-3, 262 lbs. Taller than 21% and heavier than 96% of 2026 Edge Rusher prospects in the SEC Scouts database (169 with a listed size).

Play Style

In high school he was a high-motor, penetrating edge defender. He won early with get-off, attacked blockers' edges, chased plays down from the backside and created turnovers: 3 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries as a senior. His 36 hurries alongside 10 sacks show he pressured the quarterback consistently, not just on occasional big plays. At 286 at Alabama, the plan appears to be keeping that attacking, one-gap style but moving it inside. He would shoot gaps as a 3-technique on passing downs rather than play a two-gap, read-and-react role. His best current fit is as a penetrator who uses quickness against bigger, slower interior linemen.

Strengths

• Proven pass rusher in high school: 11 sacks, 13 TFL and 47 tackles as a junior (6A all-state, ASWA), then 10 sacks, 15 TFL, 3 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries and 36 hurries as a senior while Muscle Shoals reached the state semifinals
• Flexibility across the line: he was recruited to play in space at 260 and has bulked to 286 without looking stiff in spring, so he can play 3-tech on passing downs, 4i/5-tech on early downs, or Bandit in Alabama's front
• Ahead of schedule on development: an early enrollee with a full bowl-prep cycle, spring practice and A-Day already done, and coaches describe him as intelligent with a strong work ethic
• Heavily recruited: he won an offer battle against Clemson, Auburn, Ole Miss, USC and Oklahoma, and was an Alabama–Mississippi All-Star Game selection

Areas to Improve

• Taking double teams: he has not yet shown at the college level that he can anchor against double teams and hold the point of attack inside against 310-plus-pound SEC guards. The weight is new, and his strength needs to catch up to it
• Pass-rush moves beyond speed: in high school he won with get-off and effort against smaller tackles. Inside he needs a reliable hand-fighting move (club-swim, push-pull) and a counter, because his length won't let him win around blockers
• Settling on a position: moving between Edge, 3-tech and Bandit slows his development. He needs a defined role and at least a year at his current weight to learn one set of techniques

College Projection

Realistic path: a redshirt or limited 2026 season with fewer than 4 games, backup reps and special teams (he was 9th among Alabama DTs in July 2026 and off the September depth chart). In 2027 he should compete for a spot in the defensive line rotation as a passing-down interior rusher once his body settles at around 285-290. By 2028-29 he could start at 3-technique or as a big edge/Bandit if his strength and technique develop. Early enrollment gives him close to a full extra development year compared with a typical true freshman.

NFL Outlook

Long-term Day 3 prospect with a small chance of more. At 6-3/286 with pass-rush production, the NFL profile is an undersized 3-technique or 4-3 base end. That profile gets drafted if he tests well (a 10-yard split under about 1.70 and strong short-shuttle times) and turns into a productive interior rusher by his third or fourth college season. The main risk is ending up as a tweener: too small to hold up inside and not long or fast enough to rush from the edge. His NFL outlook depends on becoming a clear specialist at one spot by 2028.

Best Fit

A one-gap, attacking front that asks interior linemen to penetrate rather than absorb blocks. That fits Alabama's multiple front, where he can rotate at 3-tech and move out to Bandit or big end on obvious passing downs. He would struggle in a heavy two-gap 3-4 that asks him to be a 300-plus-pound nose or 5-tech. Programs that give undersized tackles pass-rush packages and focus on strength development are the best fit.