Former Notre Dame star Patrick Johnson drafted by Eagles

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — From ND to NFL, Chattanooga native Patrick Johnson’s dreams became reality tonight when he answered the life changing call from the Philadelphia Eagles. The former Notre Dame star heads to the City of Brotherly Love as a seventh round pick.

Johnson led the nation with ten sacks last year at Tulane. He even broke the Green Wave’s career sack record, finishing with 24.5 sacks in four years.

Johnson says he owes so much to his time at Notre Dame — especially to Irish coach Charles Fant — who was there when he heard his name called.

“Man, I started crying. I can’t even lie to you,” Johnson said in an interview exclusively with News 12. “Just the emotions that came out of me, just pure happiness and tears of joy. All of it paid off, all the hard work after all the hard years, and all the stuff I had to go through to get here. It’s truly amazing.”

Fly Eagles Fly!! @Eagles

— Patrick Johnson (@P_JOHNSON7) May 1, 2021