Former Notre Dame High School standout Patrick Johnson (34) brings down a Louisiana ball carrier in Tulane’s 41-24 victory on Dec. 15 in the AutoNation Cure Bowl in Orlando, Florida. Johnson had a team-best 10 1/2 sacks in his sophomore season.Tulane outside linebacker Patrick Johnson continually looks to wreak havoc.
Recently tabbed the American Athletic Conference’s preseason defensive player of the year, the former Notre Dame High School standout is out to prove himself every time the football is snapped.
“I always try to play in the moment and keep the mindset that nobody can stop me,” said Johnson, who will be a junior this season. “I play with an attitude that I am the best one out there and I have to prove it to everyone.”
He plays the “joker” position in a 3-4 defensive scheme, and his relentless speed rush and nose for the ball helped the Green Wave post their first winning season since 2013 and win a bowl game for the first time since 2002.
After getting into the swing of things, the film-room junkie took off, notching all 10 1/2 of his sacks in his final nine starts to close a 7-6 campaign. His jarring hits also provided four forced fumbles and 16 tackles for loss covering 74 yards.