Nahki Johnson has spent his entire football journey in Pittsburgh, but the former West Mifflin and Pitt defensive lineman is headed to Oklahoma.
Johnson — a 6-foot-2, 280-pound rising senior defensive tackle from West Mifflin, Pa. — signed with the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes, the team announced on Saturday night. He announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal on Thanksgiving and graduated from Pitt earlier this month.
Tulsa provides Johnson with a fresh start in a brand-new location.
Johnson played in 11 games this season, recording 14 tackles (two solo), a tackle for loss and a pass breakup. He made the switch from defensive end to defensive tackle during the offseason.
He’s finished his Pitt career with 23 tackles (six solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a pass breakup in 28 games.
Johnson served as a rotational piece on the defensive line, receiving a handful of starts alongside Sean FitzSimmons and Nick James. He received praise from the coaching staff over the years but hasn’t been able to find consistent playing time on the line. He should be able to do that in Tulsa.
Johnson is the first of the class of 2021 WPIAL trio to find a new home after leaving Pittsburgh. Dorien Ford, who transferred last offseason, didn’t play college football in 2024.
Pitt will need to replace Nate Matlack in the starting lineup next season, but there’s a solid base returning with Jimmy Scott (who already announced he’s returning next season), Sincere Edwards and Chief Borders. There are some younger pass rushers on the roster, but it’s been a priority for the coaching staff to target defensive ends in the portal.
Pitt has its core defensive tackles in Sean FitzSimmons, Nick James and Isaiah Neal (with Francis Brewu and Jahsear Whittington primed for bigger seasons), but the need for edge rushers will be addressed.
