Anthony Johnson Jr.
No. 36 – Green Bay Packers
Position:Free safety
Personal information
Born: (1999-12-02) December 2, 1999
St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:St. Petersburg
College:Iowa State (2018–2022)
NFL Draft:2023 / Round: 7 / Pick: 242
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 18, 2023
Total tackles:24
Pass deflections:3
Interceptions:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Anthony Christopher Johnson Jr. (born December 2, 1999) is an American football free safety for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Iowa State.

Early life and high school career

Johnson Jr. grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida and attended St. Petersburg High School.[1] He was rated a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at Iowa State over an offer from South Florida.[2]

College career

Johnson played cornerback for his first four seasons with the Iowa State Cyclones and became a starter during his freshman year.[3] As a senior, he was named honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference after making 55 tackles with three tackles for loss, four passes broken up, and two forced fumbles.[4] Johnson used the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes due to the COVID-19 pandemic and returned to Iowa State for a fifth season.[5] He moved to safety entering his final season.[6] Johnson was named second team All-Big 12 after finishing the year with 60 tackles, two interceptions, and four passes broken up.[7]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
5 ft 11+5⁄8 in
(1.82 m)		 205 lb
(93 kg)		 31+1⁄4 in
(0.79 m)		 8+3⁄4 in
(0.22 m)		4.54 s1.55 s2.59 s4.31 s7.07 s37.5 in
(0.95 m)		10 ft 5 in
(3.18 m)		12 reps
Sources:[8][9]

Johnson was drafted in the seventh round, 242nd overall, by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL Draft.[10] The pick had originally belonged to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but was traded to the packers in August 2022 for offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen.[11] Johnson signed his rookie contract on May 5.[12]

On August 11, 2023, Johnson made his NFL preseason debut with the Packers in a 36–19 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals. In that game he finished with five total tackles four of which were solo tackles. After three preseason games Johnson finished with nine total tackles five of which were solo tackles.

Johnson would not make his NFL regular season debut for the Packers until week seven in a 17–19 loss against the Denver Broncos. He only played 15 snaps during the game 11 of them being on special teams. He would not record a stat. Due to injuries Johnson would make his first career start in a game against the Los Angeles Rams in week nine. This turned out to be Johnson's "breakout game" as in the fourth quarter Rams quarterback Brett Rypien's pass intended for receiver Cooper Kupp was tipped by Packer's Jaire Alexander. This allowed Johnson to make a play on the ball and come down with the interception. Johnson would finish the game with two pass deflections, one tackle, one interception and played every defensive snap as Green Bay went on to win 20–3. Johnson's best game of the year however came in week 12 on Thanksgiving day in a 29–22 win over the NFC North rival Detroit Lions. He finished with eight total tackles and one pass deflection.

References

  1. ↑ Wasserman, Dalton (April 25, 2023). "Why Iowa State safety Anthony Johnson Jr. is flying up PFF's draft board". Pro Football Focus. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Football: Cyclones get third commitment in three days, add verbal from Anthony Johnson Jr". Ames Tribune. May 19, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  3. ↑ Chan, Jennifer Lee (March 2, 2023). "Purdy's Iowa State teammate shares what he learned from 49ers QB". NBC Sports Bay Area. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Iowa State's Anthony Johnson 'leading the way' after shift from cornerback to safety". The Gazette. May 6, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Iowa State starting cornerback Anthony Johnson Jr. skips NFL Draft, will return for the 2022 season". The Des Moines Register. December 8, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Iowa State defense boosted by Anthony Johnson after switch to safety". The Des Moines Register. September 13, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  7. ↑ Dochterman, Scott (April 12, 2023). "Breaking down Iowa State Cyclones' 2023 NFL Draft prospects: Where could they end up?". The Athletic. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Anthony Johnson Jr. Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  9. ↑ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Anthony Johnson Jr. College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  10. ↑ "2023 NFL Draft: Packers select Iowa State S Anthony Johnson Jr. in seventh round, No. 242 overall". packers.com. April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  11. ↑ https://www.packers.com/news/packers-trade-t-g-cole-van-lanen-to-the-jacksonville-jaguars-202
  12. ↑ "Packers sign eight draft picks". packers.com. May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
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