Johnson earned a spot on the U.S. team for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, by placing second at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, with a best jump of 8.30 metres (27–2.75 ft). He competed as a member of U.S. track and field team in the men's long jump, along with his teammates Miguel Pate and Trevell Quinley. Johnson performed the best jump at 7.79 metres from his second attempt, but fell short in his bid for the final, as he placed twenty-second overall in the qualifying rounds.