Hall of Fame
A Panama City, Fla., native, Michael Johnson was a four-year starting linebacker at North Alabama from 2006-09 and was a four-time All-Gulf South Conference, four-time All-Super Region 2 and two-time All-American for the Lions.
Chosen first-team All-American by Daktronics and second-team by D2football.com as a junior in 2008, Johnson followed
with first-team All-American selections by Daktronics, D2Football.com, Football Gazette and the Associated Press as a senior in 2009. He was also voted National Defensive Player of the Year by Daktronics and D2Football.com, in addition to being named the Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Johnson was part of a UNA senior class that had a combined 44-7 overall record to rank as third winningest senior class in school history. The Class of 2009 was ranked nationally in the Top 11 for 54 straight weeks, or every week that they were part of the UNA program. The Lions had four straight seasons with 10 or more wins and made four straight NCAA playoff appearances...
As a junior in 2008, he helped lead UNA to a 12-2 record and to the semifinals of the Division II playoffs. He led the Lions in tackles with 84 and added two interceptions. He also returned an interception 77 yards for a touchdown against Delta State in an NCAA playoff game.
As a senior in 2009 he was a All-GSC pick for the fourth straight year, an all-region selection for the fourth time and led the team with 113 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss and five sacks. He added two interceptions for 23 yards, caused four fumbles and recovered two, while helping lead UNA to an 11-2 record, a Gulf South Conference Championship and a spot in the quarterfinals of the playoffs
Johnson finished his career with 365 total tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
He signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks in 2010 and later signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.
A Sports Performance Coach and Personal Trainer, as well as a Wind Turbine Technician at GE, he recently accepted a position on Mark Hudspeth’s staff at Gulf Shores High School.
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