Eli Johnson is a tight end from River Falls, Wisconsin, who was a three-letter football player and two-time basketball letter winner at River Falls High School. As a senior, he earned first-team all-state honors and was named 2024 Big Rivers Conference Offensive Player of the Year while serving as team captain. Johnson recorded 40 receptions for 579 yards and six touchdowns his senior year, adding 43 tackles with seven for loss and 4.5 sacks. As a junior, he caught 17 passes for 214 yards and six touchdowns. At Iowa, Johnson redshirted during the 2025 season without appearing in game action.