Johnson was born and raised in Morehead City, North Carolina and played scholastically at West Carteret High School.
[1] He played collegiately for the North Carolina State Wolfpack,[2] where, as a senior, he was honored by The Sporting News as a first-team All-American.
He was also selected by the New Orleans Saints 15th overall in the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL Players.
Johnson spent eight years with the Saints, starting 98 games, while collecting 12 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 5 fumble recoveries.
[5] He was a four-time Pro Bowler, from 1989 to 1992, while with the Saints and also a member of the vaunted Dome Patrol linebacker corps.