Anthony Johnson (defensive lineman)

Anthony Johnson (born January 24, 1993) is an American former professional football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at LSU. During his high school football career at O. Perry Walker High School in New Orleans, Johnson broke the Louisiana career quarterback sack record with 67.5 sacks.

Anthony Johnson
refer to caption
Johnson with the Calgary Stampeders in 2019
No. 76, 96, 75, 97, 95
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1993-01-24) January 24, 1993 (age 31)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:275 lb (125 kg)
Career information
High school:O. Perry Walker
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
College:LSU
Undrafted:2014
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:16
Fumble recoveries:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

High school career

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Born to Nakisha Johnson and Sherman Patty and raised in New Orleans, Johnson's family was displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and moved to Atlanta, and later Mobile, Alabama, for a period of time.[1]

After returning to New Orleans, Johnson attended O. Perry Walker High School, where he was a four-time all-district selection. He broke the Louisiana career sack record with 67.5 sacks during his four-year career. As a senior in 2010, he recorded 129 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, and 17.5 sacks. The team went 9–4 on the season, advancing to the LHSAA Class 4A semifinals, where they lost 36–6 to Franklinton. Both USA Today and Parade named Johnson to their All-American teams. Gatorade named him the Louisiana State Player of the Year, as the first lineman, and only third defender, in the 16 years of the award.

One of the most sought after high school players in the country, Johnson was rated as a five-star prospect by every recruiting service. Rivals.com ranked him the No. 1 defensive tackle of his class,[2] and compared him to Darnell Dockett.[3] Johnson chose LSU over offers from almost every major school, including Alabama, Oklahoma, and Southern California.

College career

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Johnson played in thirteen games for LSU in 2011, and was named to both the CBSSports.com and Sporting News Freshman All-American teams.[4] He was named full-time starter in his junior year for the 2013 football season. Johnson declared for the 2014 NFL draft after his junior season.[5]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+12 in
(1.89 m)
308 lb
(140 kg)
33 in
(0.84 m)
10+38 in
(0.26 m)
5.24 s 1.82 s 3.05 s 4.83 s 7.93 s 24+12 in
(0.62 m)
8 ft 6 in
(2.59 m)
20 reps
All values from NFL Combine[6]

Miami Dolphins

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On May 10, 2014, Johnson signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent. On December 13, 2014, he was placed on season ending injured reserve after an ankle injury.[7] Johnson did not make the cut for the Dolphins' 2015 season roster.

Washington Redskins

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The Washington Redskins signed Johnson to their practice squad on November 9, 2015.[8]

He signed a futures contract on January 11, 2016.[9] He was released on May 2.[10]

New England Patriots

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Johnson signed with the New England Patriots on May 9, 2016.[11] He was released on September 26, 2016.[12] He was signed to the practice squad two days later.[13] He was promoted back to the active roster on October 15, 2016.[14] On October 24, the Patriots waived Johnson.[15] He was re-signed to the practice squad on October 26, 2016.[16]

New York Jets

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On November 9, 2016 Johnson was signed by the New York Jets off the Patriots' practice squad.[17]

On August 27, 2017, Johnson was waived/injured by the Jets and placed on injured reserve.[18] He was released on October 17, 2017.

Indianapolis Colts

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On November 7, 2017, Johnson was signed to the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad.[19] He was promoted to the active roster on December 5, 2017.[20]

On September 1, 2018, Johnson was placed on injured reserve.[21] He was released on September 11, 2018.

 
Johnson with the DC Defenders in 2020

Memphis Express

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In 2019, Johnson joined the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football.[22] He was placed on injured reserve on March 13, 2019, and activated from injured reserve on April 1, 2019.

Calgary Stampeders

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After the AAF ceased operations in April 2019, Johnson signed with the practice roster for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League on August 13, 2019. He was released on November 25, 2019.

Los Angeles Wildcats

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In October 2019, Johnson was selected by the Los Angeles Wildcats in the 2020 XFL Draft.[23] Johnson was placed on the reserve/left squad list on February 10, 2020.[24] Johnson was reportedly unhappy after the Wildcats fired defensive coordinator Pepper Johnson after their Week 1 loss.

DC Defenders

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On February 14, 2020, Johnson was traded to the DC Defenders in exchange for Bradley Sylve.[25] He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.[26]

References

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  1. ^ "Music came first for LSU's vocal leader: Anthony 'The Freak' Johnson". The Advocate. August 28, 2013.
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ "Anthony Johnson - Yahoo! Sports". Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  4. ^ "CBSSports.com 2011 Freshman All-America team - CBSSports.com". Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  5. ^ LSU's Ego Ferguson and Anthony Johnson to enter NFL Draft
  6. ^ "Anthony Johnson Stats, News and Video - WR". NFL.com.
  7. ^ Miami Dolphins Place Anthony Johnson On IR
  8. ^ Kring-Schreifels, Jake (November 9, 2015). "More On The Redskins' Three New Roster Additions". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  9. ^ "Redskins Sign Seven To Reserve/Future Contracts". Redskins.com. January 11, 2016. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  10. ^ "05/02: Redskins Make Roster Moves". Redskins.com. May 2, 2016. Archived from the original on December 30, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  11. ^ "Patriots trade LB Jonathan Bostic to Detroit; Sign DL Anthony Johnson". Patriots.com. May 9, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  12. ^ "Patriots release DL Anthony Johnson". Patriots.com. September 26, 2016.
  13. ^ "Patriot sign Anthony Johnson to the practice squad; Release OL Ian Silberman". Patriots.com. Archived from the original on November 1, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  14. ^ "Patriots sign DL Geneo Grissom and DL Anthony Johnson to the 53-man roster; Place LB Jonathan Freeny and TE Greg Scruggs on Injured Reserve". Patriots.com. October 15, 2016.
  15. ^ "Patriots release DL Anthony Johnson from the 53-man roster; release DB Vinnie Sunseri from the practice squad". Patriots.com. October 24, 2016.
  16. ^ "Patriots acquire LB Kyle Van Noy in a trade with Detroit". Patriots.com. October 26, 2016.
  17. ^ Lange, Randy (November 9, 2016). "Devin Smith Activated, Ryan Clady Goes to IR". NewYorkJets.com.
  18. ^ Allen, Eric (August 27, 2017). "Jets Claim DE Kony Ealy". NewYorkJets.com.
  19. ^ "Roster Move: Colts Sign DT Anthony Johnson To Practice Squad". Colts.com. November 7, 2017.
  20. ^ Walker, Andrew (December 5, 2017). "Colts Place Outside Linebacker John Simon On Injured Reserve". Colts.com.
  21. ^ Walker, Andrew (September 1, 2018). "Colts Announce Final 2018 Roster Cuts". Colts.com.
  22. ^ Munz, Jason (January 30, 2019). "AAF: The Memphis Express set their initial 52-man roster. Who made the cut?". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  23. ^ Bender, Bill (October 21, 2019). "XFL Draft picks 2019: Complete results, rosters, players for new football league". Sporting News. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  24. ^ "XFL TRANSACTIONS". www.xfl.com. February 10, 2020.
  25. ^ Rachuk, Stephan (February 14, 2020). "Anthony Johnson Traded to DC Defenders". XFL Newsroom. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  26. ^ Condotta, Bob (April 10, 2020). "XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue". SeattleTimes.com. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
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