[1] Johnson played four seasons for the Southern Methodist University Mustangs.
He was the team's starting quarterback as a junior and as a senior after sharing passing duties with Doak Walker as a sophomore.
In his first year as a starter he passed for 565 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions as SMU won the 1947 Southwest Conference championship.
[2][3] Johnson was selected in the 11th round of the 1948 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
He played in nine games for the Yankees, completing 12 of 36 pass attempts for 179 yards and five interceptions with no touchdowns.