Former Sooners offensive lineman Lane Johnson has been named to the NFL’s Top 100 Players list.
The National Football League is in the process of unveiling its Top 100 Players of 2024 as training camps kick off. The NFL has a distinctive approach to this list, revealing players in groups of ten and allowing the players themselves to vote on the rankings.
On Friday, the first former Oklahoma Sooner made the list: Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson, who ranks at No. 41.
Coral Smith from NFL Network commented on Johnson, who has spent his entire career with the Eagles. “Johnson has demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout his 11 seasons, as indicated by his identical Top 100 ranking from last year, showcasing his reliability on the Eagles’ formidable offensive line,” Smith noted. “After receiving a pay increase and contract extension at the start of the season, Johnson proved he is still among the top tackles in the league, allowing just three sacks and achieving an 80.9 player grade from PFF, which led to his fifth Pro Bowl selection.”
Johnson was the fourth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. He began his college football journey at Kilgore College in Texas, playing as a quarterback and tight end. He transferred to the University of Oklahoma before the 2009 season, initially serving as a practice squad quarterback during his redshirt year. He shifted to tight end in 2010 and then to defensive end in 2011.
A turning point in Johnson’s Oklahoma career occurred early in the 2011 season when injuries plagued the offensive line. He was invited to try out as a backup, and his impressive performance led to him being moved to offensive tackle, where he earned a starting position. Johnson excelled at right tackle, starting twelve games that season.
In 2012, he transitioned to left tackle, contributing to an offensive line that provided excellent protection for starting quarterback Landry Jones. This line also facilitated the successful “Belldozer” package, featuring backup quarterback Blake Bell, which thrived in both 2011 and 2012.
Since being drafted by the Eagles, Johnson has started every game for the team. He has been selected to five Pro Bowls and has earned first-team All-Pro honors twice. He played a crucial role in the Eagles’ victory in Super Bowl LII in 2017.
A standout player from the Bob Stoops era in Norman, Johnson has been a dependable presence in Philadelphia for eleven seasons.
