Former Tennessee Vols Linebacker Arrested

Former Tennessee Vols linebacker AJ Johnson was recently arrested.

AJ Johnson, who played linebacker for the Tennessee Vols from 2011-2014, was arrested in Knoxville on July 8 for driving under the influence and possession of marijuana.

Johnson is still facing rape charges stemming from a 2014 incident that led to his indefinite suspension from Tennessee’s football team during his senior season.

The Georgia native was one of the most prolific linebackers in Vol history. He finished his Tennessee career with the second most tackles in program history. Johnson also had six career rushing touchdowns, after he was used by former Vols head coach Derek Dooley in the wildcat package (or as UT fans called it, the beast package).

Johnson was considered by a lot of folks as a potential first round NFL draft pick. That’s why it was a big deal in early 2014 when Butch Jones announced that Johnson would return for his senior season.

But after Johnson was arrested and investigated for rape in November 2014, it basically ended his chance to have a career in the NFL. Johnson wasn’t drafted in the 2015 NFL Draft and no franchise was willing to take a chance on him as a free agent.

From a football standpoint, it’s a shame that we weren’t able to see Johnson reach his full potential in the NFL. He was one of the great defensive players to play on Rocky Top and he likely would have enjoyed a solid pro career.

On the other hand, however, it’s the choices we make that define our lives. Perhaps Johnson was in the wrong place at the wrong time, or maybe he should’ve never put himself in certain situations.

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Either way, public opinion doesn’t matter at this point. The only opinion that matters is that of the courts.