Former Gators offensive lineman Fred Johnson returned to campus this week to receive his college degree. (Photo: Scott Carter/UAA Communications)
NFL Veteran Fred Johnson Finishes What He Started at UF
Thursday, April 30, 2026 | Football, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Fred Johnson offers Philadelphia Eagles fans a glimpse into his personal life on his Instagram page. He blends photos from practice and workouts with those of his pregnant girlfriend and his 4-year-old son.
Johnson, who has established himself in the NFL over the past three seasons with the Eagles, bounced around for a few years after going undrafted following his final season with the Gators in 2018. He experienced the ups and downs of professional football at the highest level, which can shake your foundation even when you are a 6-foot-7, 330-pound offensive lineman.
"The league is very scary, but there is some light if you can find it,'' Johnson said.
A seven-year veteran who won a Super Bowl ring 15 months ago, the 28-year-old Johnson signed a new contract with the Eagles last month. Still, with his career blossoming, Johnson's mind has been away from football this week.
He was reminded of how his perspective had changed the other day when he saw a photo of his son on social media, bending over to smell a flower.
"When was the last time I actually leaned over and smelled some flowers,'' Johnson said. "When did life get so tough or so rough that I don't appreciate the little things. One of the little big things I needed to figure out was how to get this degree and how to wrap up my time at Florida the right way."
Fred Johnson, left, and his former UF teammate C.J. Gardner-Johnson after the Eagles won the Super Bowl in February 2025. (Photo: UAA file photo)
After a couple of false starts – no flags included – Johnson turned serious about finishing his UF degree in Family, Youth & Community Sciences soon after the Eagles won Super Bowl LIX over the Chiefs in February 2025. He dug into the remaining coursework, and on Thursday night, Johnson will walk across the stage as a proud college graduate.
The accomplishment is one Johnson will celebrate with several members of his family, who made the trip from their South Florida home.
"The dream kind of slipped up when I first entered the league and tried to make a career,'' Johnson said Wednesday during a visit to the Heavener Football Training Center. "This last fall, things just lined up. 'OK, I need to get this done. Let's not put it off any longer.' I definitely saw it was time to hunker down and take the initiative seriously. I wanted to make sure I came back and finished what I started here.
"It means the world to me. I'm excited to walk across the stage, and hopefully won't trip."
The affable Johnson arrived at UF in the summer of 2015 from Royal Palm Beach High, a relative newcomer to the game, having played mostly basketball growing up. He played a season of high school football and drew serious interest from then-Virginia Tech offensive line coach Stacy Searels. That's where he expected to go. However, once he heard the Gators had signed Martez Ivey, the No. 1-ranked prep offensive lineman that year, his interest shifted to the Gators. He wanted to know how he stacked up against the best.
Johnson started two games as a freshman, and by the time the Gators beat Michigan in the Peach Bowl in Johnson's final game in his senior season, he owned 33 career starts and interest from the NFL.
"He's a guy that, up front, at times can create an eclipse,'' former UF coach Jim McElwain once said.
Johnson's story on the field is one of hard work, fighting through adversity, and finding a home. The same is true on Johnson's path toward earning his degree.
"When you are playing in the league, it's easier said than done,'' said Jason Storch, a longtime UF and UAA academic advisor who has worked with Johnson over the years. "It's not a part-time job. So, to be able to continue to grind and get it done, that speaks volumes to his character."
Fred Johnson started 33 games during his UF career. (Photo: Kate Venezio/UAA Communications)
Johnson is already thinking beyond the NFL and a potential post-football career.
He grew up with an autistic brother and had friends and family members struggle mentally and emotionally at different times. Johnson said he has dealt with his own issues and was unaware of the resources available to help until he got to college.
"I wanted to see how the mind worked,'' he said.
While at UF, Johnson became engaged with the local community to broaden his perspective. He was named to the All-Southeastern Conference Community Service Team for volunteering at a local Boys & Girls Club, spending time with young bone marrow transplant patients, and participating in the "Stomp the Swamp for Autism" event.
Those experiences opened Johnson's eyes in ways he had not envisioned.
"This is where I built all my relationships. This is where I built who I wanted to be," Johnson said. "I figured out a long time ago that this is something that was gifted to me, a scholarship to play football. But academics can take you further than football ever can.
"I want to be a therapist and run my own practice after I get my doctorate in the coming years. I want to get my own building and have 'Johnson Therapeutics.' It sounds real nice."
But before any of that could be possible, Johnson had to finish what he started 11 years ago. Step 1 is complete.
He will soon return to the field and begin preparation for his eighth season in the NFL. Johnson is eager to get started.
"I don't think my career is anywhere near done,'' he said. "I don't think I've reached my mountaintop. I was figuring out a lot of stuff halfway into my career."
And off the field, he had puzzles to solve, too. There will be more ahead. That's life.
But what Johnson knows now is that if he can carve out a place in the NFL and finish his degree while doing it, then Johnson Therapeutics can become a reality if he puts his mind to it.
"I feel like with this milestone completed, I don't have to look in that rearview anymore,'' he said. "It's a stepping stone, but definitely the most important one. I can just keep moving forward."
