A native of Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, Johnson attended Belle Vernon Area High School where he was a four-year varsity player and three-year starter on both the offensive and defensive line.

In his junior and senior year he earned consecutive first-team All-Big Nine Conference honors.

[1] With offers from many college football programs, Johnson committed to his home-town Pittsburgh Panthers.

[6][7] On October 11, 2017, Johnson was signed by the Houston Texans off the Cardinals' practice squad.

[12] On September 1, 2018, Johnson was waived by the Panthers and signed to practice squad the following day.