Arizona Football defensive lineman PJ Johnson gets drafted by Detroit
NASHVILLE, TN- It took awhile, but finally in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Arizona Football defensive lineman PJ Johnson was drafted by the Lions!
It’s been a long and tough road for Arizona Football defensive tackle PJ Johnson, but as the 2019 NFL Draft came and went, the Sacramento native got his dream of finally being drafted.
The story of PJ is an interesting one, and one certainly worth telling! An eventual star at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, his path would take him from high school stardom, to eventual college stardom. However, it wasn’t always easy.
Arizona Wildcats
Son to hardworking and supportive parents, the Johnson’s did their best to keep their son off the streets, away from violence and with a good level head on his shoulders. Fast forward to 2019, and they were surely successful.
However, getting there wasn’t easy. From hardship, to injuries and being homeless, Johnson had a road unlike others.
He would initially enroll at Sacramento State in 2014, but after a redshirt season and a couple major injuries, he would then transfer to the City College of San Francisco in 2017.
A solid redshirt sophomore season at the junior college level would eventually pave his way to Arizona, where he would put together a tremendous junior year for the Cats, totaling 31 tackles (22 solo) with 8.5 being for a loss and totaling three sacks and a forced fumble.
That’s when Johnson would be tasked with an extremely tough decision. A dad to Tolu (3) and Kiara (1), he had to think about providing for his kids, and announced his intent to join the NFL Draft.
A successful Pro Day would certainly help get his name out there, but now it was just a matter of waiting and hoping to get his name called!
The first two days came and went, then finally, in the seventh round with the 229th overall pick, the Detroit Lions selected PJ!
https://twitter.com/lulalandpj/status/1122597260842262528
A life of struggles and challenges, and the massive lineman with big dreams and an even bigger heart is being given the chance of a lifetime! He will play in the NFL!
He also becomes the first defensive lineman drafted from Arizona since 2011.
If his ability to overcome adversity is any indication, we’re certain Johnson will continue to find a way to be successful, even at the next level! We surely fell in love with PJ with his dominating play!
More. On Arizona Football. light
At Zona Zealots, we’re proud of PJ and all that he has overcome in getting to where he is now! We’re excited to continue to follow his career! Bear Down, Arizona!