Former Purdue standout Lawrence Johnson ‘hangs up cleats’

Former Purdue defensive standout Lawrence Johnson took to social media Thursday, Jan. 18, to announce he was hanging up his cleats.

In a post on social media, Johnson said from the moment he knew what football was, he wanted to play.

“I remember at a young age watching college football with my momma and telling her, “That’s going to be me one day!” Here we are now, standing on everything I said I was,” Johnson wrote.

Johnson continued by saying he was hanging up his cleats and ending his playing days.

“I have fulfilled the dream I have set out for myself and honored my family through that. I am excited to see where God leads me on my next journey, and continuing to give to the game, my love and impact the next generation,” Johnson wrote.

Johnson, who played high school football at Fort Wayne Snider (IN), played for the Boilermakers from 2018-2022, earning various accolades including being named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten, and Academic All-Big Ten. As a redshirt senior in 2022, Johnson started all 14 games, recording 29 tackles, 16 solo stops, two-and-a-half tackles for a loss, one-and-a-half sacks and two quarterback hurries.

After his playing days at Purdue, Johnson entered the transfer portal and finished his college career at Auburn.

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