CHARLES JOHNSON

Charles Johnson was a five-sport athlete at Hawkinsville High where he starred as a defensive end, a forward on the basketball team, a standout track and field athlete on the Red Devils’ relay teams and a letterman in tennis his senior year. As a senior, Johnson led Hawkinsville to a perfect 15-0 finish and Class A State Title. He registered 16 sacks as a senior and had an 83-yard interception return for a touchdown in Hawkinsville’s 18-8 victory over top-ranked Lincoln County in the finals. Johnson earned 2003 GACA Class A South Player of the Year in addition to 2003 AJC Class A Defensive Player of the Year and was one of four defensive linemen that was named to the GHSF Daily All-Decade Team for 2000-09. He was the No. 21 rated prospect in the country when he signed to play at UGA. In college, he played in 35 total games with 13 starts and recorded 73 tackles, 14.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. Following his collegiate career, Johnson was selected in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers and spent all 11 years of his career with the team. Johnson finished his professional career playing in 143 games with 114 starts and racked up 323 total tackles, 17 forced fumbles, and 67.5 career sacks.