UCLA Bruins · S RoomS
#6 Tao Johnson
Class RS SR/TRFrom Utah (transfer)Ht / Wt 6'0" · 194 lbHometown Idaho Falls, ID · Thunder Ridge HS / Utah
Depth-chart placement
Current role
FS1Placement
StarterRoom
SafetyExperience
5-SRLast change
Updated 2026-07-29S room context
View full depth chart →Tao Johnson holds the FS · Starter spot in UCLA Bruins’s safety room. Where he sits among the room’s front-line roles:
Transfer history
2026Utah→UCLA Bruins
Background & career
Tao Johnson is a 6'0", 194-pound free safety who transferred to UCLA ahead of the 2026 season after four years at Utah. During his time with the Utes from 2022–25, Johnson appeared in 43 games with 23 starts at safety and 12 at nickel, accumulating 154 tackles, six tackles for loss, three interceptions, and 16 pass breakups. In 2025, he started 12 of 13 games, recording 51 tackles and six passes defended including two interceptions. Johnson played quarterback in high school at Thunder Ridge in Idaho Falls before transitioning to the defensive backfield at Utah.
Utahthrough 2025
UCLA2026 — presentPrevious schoolUtahRecruiting3-star · No. 789 nationalOriginIdaho Falls, ID · Thunder Ridge HS / Utah