Bowling Green State University Athletics
JoJo Johnson Named To 2027 Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl 1000 Watchlist
July 29, 2026 | Football
Johnson Earns Third Preseason Honor Ahead Of 2026 Campaign
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Shriners Children's East-West Bowl announced the 2027 Shriners Children's 1000 watchlist Wednesday (July 29). Among those named to the watch list was Bowling Green defensive back JoJo Johnson. The recognition for Johnson marks his third of the offseason after being named to the Phil Steele preseason All-MAC First Team and the Athlon Sports preseason All-MAC Second Team.
Transferring to Bowling Green from Indiana prior to last year, Johnson had an accomplished 2025 campaign with the Falcons. The redshirt junior accumulated 22 tackles, 11 pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery in 11 games. He finished the year first in the MAC and sixth in the nation in passes defended per game, averaging 1.27. Against Eastern Michigan, he posted a season-high five tackles in addition to five pass breakups.
Johnson began his collegiate career at Notre Dame, redshirting due to an injury during the 2021 season before transferring to Iowa Western Community College. At Iowa Western CC, he appeared in nine games in 2022, racking up 16 tackles, three interceptions and two pass breakups. Johnson moved on to Indiana for the 2023 and 2024 campaigns, appearing in 16 games across the two seasons with 14 tackles and a pass defended.
Since 1925, the Shriners Children's East-West Bowl has benefited Shriners Children's and its mission to provide excellent specialty care for children. This unique health care system provides excellent care for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, regardless of the families' ability to pay for services. This special game helps raise the profile of Shriners Children, so the organization can continue to offer hope and healing and reach more kids in more places. Through the experience, everyone connected with the Shriners Children's East-West Bowl gains a deeper understanding of the amazing patients who receive care at Shriners Children's and the ways that they can support the health care system.
Johnson and the Falcons return to Doyt Perry Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 5 at noon to open the 2026 season against Tarleton. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+. Single-game and season tickets are on sale for all Bowling Green home football games. Fans can purchase tickets online, by calling 419-372-0000 or by visiting the Stroh Center Ticket Office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Follow the Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons football team on social media
Twitter - @BGSU_Athletics and @BG_Football
Instagram - 'bgfalcons' and 'bgsufootball'
Facebook - 'BGSU Athletics'
YouTube - 'Falcon Athletics'
Transferring to Bowling Green from Indiana prior to last year, Johnson had an accomplished 2025 campaign with the Falcons. The redshirt junior accumulated 22 tackles, 11 pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery in 11 games. He finished the year first in the MAC and sixth in the nation in passes defended per game, averaging 1.27. Against Eastern Michigan, he posted a season-high five tackles in addition to five pass breakups.
Johnson began his collegiate career at Notre Dame, redshirting due to an injury during the 2021 season before transferring to Iowa Western Community College. At Iowa Western CC, he appeared in nine games in 2022, racking up 16 tackles, three interceptions and two pass breakups. Johnson moved on to Indiana for the 2023 and 2024 campaigns, appearing in 16 games across the two seasons with 14 tackles and a pass defended.
Since 1925, the Shriners Children's East-West Bowl has benefited Shriners Children's and its mission to provide excellent specialty care for children. This unique health care system provides excellent care for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, regardless of the families' ability to pay for services. This special game helps raise the profile of Shriners Children, so the organization can continue to offer hope and healing and reach more kids in more places. Through the experience, everyone connected with the Shriners Children's East-West Bowl gains a deeper understanding of the amazing patients who receive care at Shriners Children's and the ways that they can support the health care system.
Johnson and the Falcons return to Doyt Perry Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 5 at noon to open the 2026 season against Tarleton. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+. Single-game and season tickets are on sale for all Bowling Green home football games. Fans can purchase tickets online, by calling 419-372-0000 or by visiting the Stroh Center Ticket Office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Follow the Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons football team on social media
Twitter - @BGSU_Athletics and @BG_Football
Instagram - 'bgfalcons' and 'bgsufootball'
Facebook - 'BGSU Athletics'
YouTube - 'Falcon Athletics'
Players Mentioned
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