UF doctors diagnosed the offensive lineman with congenital cervical stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal column that prevents enough fluid to gather around the spinal cord to protect it from further injury.
But where one door closes, another one opens up.
Coach Jim McElwain said that Johnson will be staying on the football team serving as a student assistant.
"It was one of those deals that we wanted to make sure that we got as many opinions as possible to make sure," McElwain said. "He’ll be a huge part of this program, this football team.
"I look forward to him being a great influence on these young guys that are coming in.