Hector Johnson ’24 M’26 Signs Pro Contract With Orlando Pirates

BEVERLY, Mass. — Former Endicott College football standout Hector Johnson '24 M'26 (Worcester, Mass.) has signed a professional contract with the Orlando Pirates of the Indoor Football League (IFL).

The deal marks another milestone in his postgrad career, as Johnson most recently earned invites to the New England Patriots Rookie Minicamp (May 2025) and the United Football League's (UFL) Atlanta Showcase (September 2025).

Johnson (6-1, 230) will don No. 13 on his uniform and play linebacker for the navy-and-teal Pirates. He is the only NCAA Division III graduate on the active roster.

At Endicott, Johnson compiled 175 tackles (87 solo), 44.0 tackles for a loss, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, one block, 31 quarterback hurries, and 24.5 sacks (22 solo) in 44 career games played.

His career accolades include two conference Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year awards, eight All-Region honors, three All-Conference First Team selections, and one Preseason All-America nod.

Johnson was also named a Cliff Harris Award and Gagliardi Trophy nominee in 2022, among many other accolades.

He still ranks first all-time in program history for yards from sacks (184) and quarterback hurries (31), and second in quarterback sacks and yards from tackles for loss (245). 

Academically, Johnson earned his Bachelor of Science in finance (2024) and is currently pursuing his MBA (anticipated to be completed in 2026).

Johnson was a two-time Academic All-Conference honoree, a three-time College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District selection, and a multi-time Dean's List award winner.

The Pirates kick off their 2026 season on Sunday, March 22 (watch here).

MORE ABOUT THE IFL

The IFL is the longest continuously operating indoor football league in the United States—and the second-longest-running professional football league overall, behind only the NFL. 

Games in the IFL are patterned after outdoor American Football, with variations adopted to accommodate playing indoors on a 50-yard field (85 feet wide).

Teams play 8-on-8 for four 15-minute quarters, and feature a maximum 21-player active roster, including four practice squad players. 

The league boasts 14 teams across the country and operations in eight of the top 50 media markets. 

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(Photo Credit - Mazzie Hinsdale '25)