2026 Capital DB Damian Johnson Damian Johnson 5'9" | 165 lbs | DB Capital | 2026 State WV earned our #1 DB ranking in the class and enters his senior season with high expectations. He’s worthy of FCS looks this fall in our opinion, with the skill set and athleticism he has as a corner. Size is one hurdle that D1 programs may face, but turn on Johnson’s film and see the upside he offers. Johnson is a ball hawk and embodies that label in his game, a trait he demonstrated as a junior and should continue to display as a senior.

The 2026 DB class is still sorting itself out and waiting for someone to firmly take over the #1 spot permanently and Capital’s Damian Johnson Damian Johnson 5'9" | 165 lbs | DB Capital | 2026 State WV made a great case for that this season. Johnson stuffed the stat sheet for the Cougars picking off 5 passes including 3 for touchdowns, breaking up 6 passes, and forcing 6 fumbles. He’s a bit undersized but is very athletic and has a knack for the ball resulting in his high production. Johnson has very good closing speed and has a natural instinct for jumping routes.

The Cougars have a strong 2026 class making their way up the ranks and becoming upperclassmen now with WR/DB Damian Johnson Damian Johnson 5'9" | 165 lbs | DB Capital | 2026 State WV leading the way. Johnson was a huge stock riser in our summer rankings update, and we expect him to have his best season yet and a breakout season.

Here’s what we said about Johnson in our 2026 summer rankings update stock risers article:

“We always knew 2026 Capital WR/DB  Damian Johnson Damian Johnson 5'9" | 165 lbs | DB Capital | 2026 State WV  would end up higher than his previous rankings, but he’s forced us to make that change quicker than we expected. Johnson is one of three Capital Cougars who have seen their stock rise in the summer rankings update, largely due to their performances at various camps this summer. Johnson is another great example of the importance of going out to camps and performing well while showing more to his game than you might find on his sophomore highlight tape. He ripped off a 4.5 40 at one of the WVU camps and caught the attention of WV State’s coaches causing them to extend Johnson’s first offer as a rising junior.”

New Ranking: 43 | Previous Ranking: 109 | Spots Raised: 66

We always knew 2026 Capital WR/DB Damian Johnson Damian Johnson 5'9" | 165 lbs | DB Capital | 2026 State WV would end up higher than his previous rankings, but he’s forced us to make that change quicker than we expected. Johnson is one of three Capital Cougars who have seen their stock rise in the summer rankings update, largely due to their performances at various camps this summer. Johnson is another great example of the importance of going out to camps and performing well while showing more to his game than you might find on his sophomore highlight tape. He ripped off a 4.5 40 at one of the WVU camps and caught the attention of WV State’s coaches causing them to extend Johnson’s first offer as a rising junior.

We expect Johnson to put more on film this season and have the breakout year on the field that we know he’s capable of as our highest stock riser of the summer update.