Anthony Johnson (defensive lineman)
{{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Anthony Johnson
| image = 2019, 95, Anthony Johnson.jpg
| caption = Johnson with the Calgary Stampeders in 2019
| current_team =
| number = 76, 96, 75, 97, 95
| position = Defensive end
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|01|24|mf=y}}
| birth_place = New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 275
| high_school = O. Perry Walker
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
| college = LSU
| undraftedyear = 2014
| pastteams =
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2014}})
- Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2016}})*
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2016}})
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2017}})
- Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- Memphis Express ({{AAF Year|2019}})
- Calgary Stampeders ({{CFL Year|2019}})
- Los Angeles Wildcats ({{XFL Year|2020}})
- DC Defenders ({{XFL Year|2020}})
| status =
| highlights =
- Second-team All-SEC (2013)
- Freshman All-American (2011)
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 16
| statlabel2 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue2 = 1
|pfr=JohnAn04
}}
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.
High school career
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.{{cite news |url=http://theadvocate.com/football/6763566-175/anthony-the-freak-johnson-is |title=Music came first for LSU's vocal leader: Anthony 'The Freak' Johnson |date=August 28, 2013 |work=The Advocate }}
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,{{Cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-2660 |title=Archived copy |access-date=March 7, 2015 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305064057/https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-2660 |url-status=dead }} and compared him to Darnell Dockett.{{Cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Anthony-Johnson-79041 |title=Anthony Johnson - Yahoo! Sports |access-date=March 7, 2015 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402122124/https://sports.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Anthony-Johnson-79041 |url-status=dead }} Johnson chose LSU over offers from almost every major school, including Alabama, Oklahoma, and Southern California.
College career
Johnson played in thirteen games for LSU in 2011, and was named to both the CBSSports.com and Sporting News Freshman All-American teams.{{cite web|url=http://eye-on-collegefootball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/33745625 |title=CBSSports.com 2011 Freshman All-America team - CBSSports.com |access-date=December 29, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107161448/http://eye-on-collegefootball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/33745625 |archive-date=January 7, 2012 }} 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.[http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20140103/SPORTS0202/140103016/LSU-s-Ego-Ferguson-Anthony-Johnson-enter-NFL-Draft LSU's Ego Ferguson and Anthony Johnson to enter NFL Draft]
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2+1/2
| weight = 308
| dash = 5.24
| ten split = 1.82
| twenty split = 3.05
| shuttle = 4.83
| cone drill = 7.93
| vertical = 24 1/2
| broad ft = 8
| broad in = 6
| bench = 20
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 33
| hand span = 10+3/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/anthony-johnson?id=2543604|title = Anthony Johnson Stats, News and Video - WR|website = NFL.com}}
}}
= Miami Dolphins =
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.[http://phinphanatic.com/2014/12/13/miami-dolphins-place-anthony-johnson-ir/ Miami Dolphins Place Anthony Johnson On IR] Johnson did not make the cut for the Dolphins' 2015 season roster.
= Washington Redskins =
The Washington Redskins signed Johnson to their practice squad on November 9, 2015.{{cite web|work=Redskins.com|url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/blog/article-1/More-On-The-Redskins-Three-New-Roster-Additions/573f4ca0-c1f6-45b8-8c60-f1a8de50d0a1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917184539/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/blog/article-1/More-On-The-Redskins-Three-New-Roster-Additions/573f4ca0-c1f6-45b8-8c60-f1a8de50d0a1|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 17, 2016|title= More On The Redskins' Three New Roster Additions|first=Jake|last=Kring-Schreifels|date=November 9, 2015|access-date=November 9, 2015}}
He signed a futures contract on January 11, 2016.{{cite web|work=Redskins.com|url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Redskins-Sign-Seven-To-ReserveFuture-Contracts/d7070ad9-8905-4be0-8ef6-d28816213141|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007170036/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Redskins-Sign-Seven-To-ReserveFuture-Contracts/d7070ad9-8905-4be0-8ef6-d28816213141|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 7, 2017|title=Redskins Sign Seven To Reserve/Future Contracts|date=January 11, 2016|access-date=January 16, 2016}} He was released on May 2.{{cite web|work=Redskins.com|url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/0502-Redskins-Make-Roster-Moves/4525670f-c165-4338-9a27-c8541e718f52|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230225641/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/0502-Redskins-Make-Roster-Moves/4525670f-c165-4338-9a27-c8541e718f52|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 30, 2017|title=05/02: Redskins Make Roster Moves|date=May 2, 2016|access-date=May 2, 2016}}
=New England Patriots=
Johnson signed with the New England Patriots on May 9, 2016.{{cite web|work=Patriots.com|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-trade-lb-jonathan-bostic-to-detroit-sign-dl-anthony-johnson-262126|title=Patriots trade LB Jonathan Bostic to Detroit; Sign DL Anthony Johnson|date=May 9, 2016|access-date=May 9, 2016}} He was released on September 26, 2016.{{cite web|title=Patriots release DL Anthony Johnson|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-release-dl-anthony-johnson-272606|website=Patriots.com|date=September 26, 2016}} He was signed to the practice squad two days later.{{cite web|title=Patriot sign Anthony Johnson to the practice squad; Release OL Ian Silberman|url=http://www.patriots.com/news/2016/09/28/patriot-sign-anthony-johnson-practice-squad-release-ol-ian-silberman|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101083457/http://www.patriots.com/news/2016/09/28/patriot-sign-anthony-johnson-practice-squad-release-ol-ian-silberman|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 1, 2016|website=Patriots.com|access-date=September 28, 2016}} He was promoted back to the active roster on October 15, 2016.{{cite web|title=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|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-dl-geneo-grissom-and-dl-anthony-johnson-to-the-53-man-roste-275451|website=Patriots.com|date=October 15, 2016}} On October 24, the Patriots waived Johnson.{{cite web|title=Patriots release DL Anthony Johnson from the 53-man roster; release DB Vinnie Sunseri from the practice squad|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-release-dl-anthony-johnson-from-the-53-man-roster-release-db-vin-276706|date=October 24, 2016|website=Patriots.com}} He was re-signed to the practice squad on October 26, 2016.{{cite web|title=Patriots acquire LB Kyle Van Noy in a trade with Detroit|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-acquire-lb-kyle-van-noy-in-a-trade-with-detroit-276906|website=Patriots.com|date=October 26, 2016}}
=New York Jets=
On November 9, 2016 Johnson was signed by the New York Jets off the Patriots' practice squad.{{cite web|title=Devin Smith Activated, Ryan Clady Goes to IR|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/devin-smith-activated-ryan-clady-goes-to-ir-18047234|author=Lange, Randy|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=November 9, 2016}}
On August 27, 2017, Johnson was waived/injured by the Jets and placed on injured reserve.{{cite web|title=Jets Claim DE Kony Ealy|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-claim-de-kony-ealy-19269932|author=Allen, Eric|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=August 27, 2017}} He was released on October 17, 2017.
=Indianapolis Colts=
On November 7, 2017, Johnson was signed to the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad.{{cite web|title=Roster Move: Colts Sign DT Anthony Johnson To Practice Squad|url=https://www.colts.com/news/roster-move-colts-sign-dt-anthony-johnson-to-practice-squad-19724131|website=Colts.com|date=November 7, 2017}} He was promoted to the active roster on December 5, 2017.{{cite web|title=Colts Place Outside Linebacker John Simon On Injured Reserve|url=https://www.colts.com/news/colts-place-outside-linebacker-john-simon-on-injured-reserve-19913500|author=Walker, Andrew|website=Colts.com|date=December 5, 2017}}
On September 1, 2018, Johnson was placed on injured reserve.{{cite web|title=Colts Announce Final 2018 Roster Cuts|url=https://www.colts.com/news/colts-announce-final-2018-roster-cuts|author=Walker, Andrew|website=Colts.com|date=September 1, 2018}} He was released on September 11, 2018.
=Memphis Express=
In 2019, Johnson joined the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football.{{cite news|last=Munz|first=Jason|url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/2019/01/30/aaf-memphis-express-sets-roster-alliance-football-training-camp-mettenberger-singletary-hackenberg/2699085002/|title=AAF: The Memphis Express set their initial 52-man roster. Who made the cut?|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|date=January 30, 2019|access-date=February 6, 2019}} He was placed on injured reserve on March 13, 2019, and activated from injured reserve on April 1, 2019.
=Calgary Stampeders=
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=
In October 2019, Johnson was selected by the Los Angeles Wildcats in the 2020 XFL Draft.{{cite web|last=Bender|first=Bill|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/xfl-draft-tracker-results-picks-list-rosters-football-league/jahz8p84e4i61hb8lajqs4a22|title=XFL Draft picks 2019: Complete results, rosters, players for new football league|website=Sporting News|date=October 21, 2019|access-date=October 23, 2019}} Johnson was placed on the reserve/left squad list on February 10, 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.xfl.com/en-US/xfl-transactions|title=XFL TRANSACTIONS|first=|last=|date=February 10, 2020|website=www.xfl.com}} Johnson was reportedly unhappy after the Wildcats fired defensive coordinator Pepper Johnson after their Week 1 loss.
= DC Defenders =
On February 14, 2020, Johnson was traded to the DC Defenders in exchange for Bradley Sylve.{{Cite web|url=https://xflnewsroom.com/news/anthony-johnson-traded-to-dc-defenders/|title=Anthony Johnson Traded to DC Defenders|last=Rachuk|first=Stephan|date=2020-02-14|website=XFL Newsroom|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-14}} He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.{{cite news |author=Condotta, Bob |title=XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/xfl-suspends-operations-terminates-all-employees/ |website=SeattleTimes.com |date=April 10, 2020 |access-date=July 17, 2020}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130821014705/http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=27812&SPID=2164&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=205084471&Q_SEASON=2013 Louisiana State Tigers bio]
- {{YouTube|o27UIkVvp9c|CoxSportsTV feature}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Anthony}}
Category:Players of American football from New Orleans
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:LSU Tigers football players
Category:Miami Dolphins players
Category:Washington Redskins players
Category:New England Patriots players
Category:New York Jets players
Category:Indianapolis Colts players
Category:Memphis Express (American football) players
Category:Calgary Stampeders players
Category:Los Angeles Wildcats (XFL) players