Leon Johnson (American football)
William Leon Johnson (born July 13, 1974) is a former professional American football running back. He played seven seasons for the New York Jets, the Chicago Bears, and the San Diego Chargers in the National Football League. Johnson played quarterback at Morganton's Freedom High School. While at Freedom High Johnson starred at track-winning the state championship in the long jump in his senior year-and played both basketball and baseball. He was moved to tailback at the University of North Carolina.
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| Position: | Running back | ||||||||
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| Born: | July 13, 1974 Morganton, North Carolina | ||||||||
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| College: | North Carolina | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1997 / Round: 4 / Pick: 104 | ||||||||
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He played under Mack Brown in college at University of North Carolina.
- 1993: 179 carries for 1,012 yards with 14 TD. 29 catches for 233 yards with 2 TD.
- 1994: 151 carries for 805 yards with 7 TD. 29 catches for 266 yards with 2 TD.
- 1995: 225 carries for 963 yards with 12 TD. 54 catches for 408 yards.
- 1996: 242 carries for 913 yards with 10 TD. 39 catches for 381 yards.
He finished his college career with 3,693 rushing yards and 43 TD and added 1,288 yards receiving with 4 TD.
Johnson is the only player in Atlantic Coast Conference history to be in the top five in career all-purpose yards, top five in career touchdowns, top five in career scoring, top 10 in career rushing yards and top 10 in career receptions. He is first in all-purpose yards in league history, second in touchdowns and fifth in scoring. He scored 50 touchdowns in his career, just one shy of the all-time ACC record held by Ted Brown of N.C. State. He scored 306 points, one of just four players in league history to top the 300-point mark. He and Brown are the only two non-kickers to accomplish that feat.
He is also the father of one child, Jaylen.