Marquis Johnson

For the former basketball player, see Marques Johnson.

Marquis Adrian Johnson (born May 18, 1988) is an American former professional football cornerback. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL draft. Johnson played college football at the University of Alabama, where he was a member of the 2009 National Championship team.

Marquis Johnson

No. 25
Position:	Cornerback
Personal information
Born:	(1988-05-18) May 18, 1988 (age 36) Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:	192 lb (87 kg)
Career information
High school:	Booker (Sarasota, Florida)
College:	Alabama
NFL draft:	2010 / round: 7 / pick: 211
Career history
St. Louis Rams (2010–2011) New Orleans Saints (2012)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
BCS national champion (2010)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 7 Pass deflections: 3 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

Johnson played for Booker High School in Sarasota, Florida, leading his team to a 13-2 record as a senior, had five interceptions, 15 pass breakups and 39 solo tackles. He also returned punts, averaging 37.6 yards per return. He was named All-State as a cornerback and punt returner. As a junior, he registered 50 tackles and 11 pass break-ups. He was a three-sport star, playing on a state-champion basketball team in addition to competing in the triple jump in the Florida state track & field championships.

College career

As a senior in 2009, Johnson played in all 14 games, starting 10. He finished the season with 29 total tackles (25 solo) with one interception, and led the team with passes defensed (18) and passes broken up (17). In 2008, as a junior, Johnson served as Alabama's third cornerback in nickel and dime defensive packages. He played in all 14 games with three starts and recorded 49 tackles on the year, which ranked sixth on the team, had two interceptions, a tackle for loss and five pass breakups. In 2007, he played in nine games as a back-up in the secondary and had four tackles, one pass breakup and a fumble recovery on the season. As a freshman in 2006 he appeared in all 13 games and finished the season with seven tackles to his credit.

Professional career

Pre-draft

Johnson was not invited to the NFL Combine and despite coming off meniscus surgery Johnson ran a 4.51 forty-yard dash.

St. Louis Rams

The Rams selected Johnson in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL draft.^[1] On June 28, 2010, Johnson signed a four-year contract with the Rams. He was waived and re-signed on a number of occasions over the next 2 years, spending time on the practice squad and on the PUP list and injured reserve list as well as on the active roster. Hampered by a knee injury, he played in five games during his two years with the team. Ultimately, the Rams waived him on May 3, 2012.^[2][3][4]

New Orleans Saints

Johnson signed with the New Orleans Saints on May 10, 2012.^[5] He was released by the Saints on August 31, 2012, on the final cut down day.^[6]

Personal life

Johnson was raised in Sarasota, Florida. He has spoken openly about the abuse he suffered as a child, and has become active in efforts to help other children overcome abuse.^[4]

References

1. "2010 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
2. New Orleans Saints bio Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, accessed August 22, 2012.
3. Sheldon Mickles, "Saints’ Johnson steps in to fill void at cornerback" Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, The Advocate (Baton Rouge), July 31, 2012.
4. Bradley Handwerger, "Abused as a child, Saints CB Marquis Johnson uses NFL platform to help other victims" Archived August 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, WWL-TV, August 22, 2012.
5. Hogan, Nakia (May 11, 2012). "New Orleans Saints add cornerback Marquis Johnson to the fold". NOLA.com. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
6. Bardeen, Knox (August 31, 2012). "New Orleans Saints 75 to 53: 5 Running Backs Kept on 53-Man Roster". Bleacher Report. Retrieved July 20, 2024.