Nov. 14, 2002
Kentucky fans know David Johnson has always had a nose for the ball. He isthe team leader in fumble recoveries and is among Southeastern Conferenceleaders in tackles for losses. Throughout his career in Lexington, it seemslike Johnson has always been right in the middle of the action.
Johnson burst onto the scene in 1998 and immediately made an impact for theWildcats. He racked up 53 tackles that year along with two forced fumbles, apair of interceptions and a key fourth-down sack against Mississippi State.Johnson earned several freshman honors for his stellar play that season. Hisperformance would be a sign of things to come.
The senior from Virginia Beach, Va., isn’t quite sure how to explain hisknack for being in the middle of things on the field.
“I guess a lot of it is instinct,” said Johnson. “I’ve been playing footballsince I was in fourth grade. I just kind of have a feel of how the play isdeveloping. I think a lot of it is the scheme we play here at Kentucky, too.This scheme puts the outside safeties in position to make a lot of plays.”
Whether it’s skill, instinct, the scheme he plays in or a combination of allthree, Johnson not only gets into position to make key plays, he makes them.For instance, another play from his freshman season: Johnson caused a fumblethat UK recovered to set up a touchdown for the Cats in a comeback win overIndiana.
After such a strong freshman campaign, Johnson was eager to return to thefield and make more of those game-changing plays as a sophomore in 1999.
Unfortunately, his season was cut short when he sustained a broken orbitalbone (eye socket) on the second play of the opening contest againstLouisville. Johnson’s injury required season-ending surgery but he didreceive a medical redshirt.
“The injury was hard because that was the first time I ever had to sit out awhole season of football,” said Johnson. “It was difficult to have to watchthe team all year and not be able to contribute but I was just thankful thatI had the chance to come back and play.”
Johnson returned from the injury to have another solid season in 2000. Heregistered 44 tackles, including a career-high 13 against Indiana, forced afumble and broke up four passes. He showed unbelievable toughness anddetermination in coming back from the injury that sidelined him the previousyear.
The 2001 season brought about a change for Johnson and his Wildcat teammates.
Guy Morriss took over as head coach and John Goodner as defensivecoordinator. The coaching change meant a new way of going about things forthe Wildcats and a new system to learn on defense. Johnson feels that ittook him and the other defensive players a little while to get comfortablewith the new scheme, but thinks it is starting to pay dividends now.
“I think the improvement on defense this year is due to us just being in thesystem for two years,” Johnson said. “We really thought that we knew thesystem our first year here but we really didn’t have a good grasp on ituntil we went into that second spring. I think we found out a lot of thingsthen that we were doing wrong. We’re just starting to run the scheme betterand starting to have some success with it. We’ve gotten better but we stillknow we have plenty of room for improvement.”
It’s not just what the coaches have done along the lines of strategy andpreparation that has impressed Johnson, it’s the positive attitude they havebrought to Kentucky football.
“The atmosphere around here as far as the coaching staff is a completelydifferent atmosphere,” said Johnson. “This coaching staff just makes youfeel really comfortable. I feel really comfortable if I need to go in andtalk to them about anything. Coach Goodner comes in every day with the samepositive attitude. He works so hard it just translates over to us. It makesus want to work even harder. He’s always upbeat.”
As a fifth-year senior, Johnson feels that it is not only the coaches whoshould set an example but the older players as well. Even though Johnsondoes not have an outgoing or flashy personality, he knows he can still getthe message across to the younger Wildcats.
“I’m not a very vocal person,” admitted Johnson. “But I think my leadershiprole comes into play when all of the younger guys see how hard I’m working.That can be kind of contagious. When you see somebody giving 100 percentevery play, it makes you think ‘Hey, I want to go that hard too.’ “
Johnson had some great players to learn from when he first arrived inLexington and he now he feels that it is his job to step into the role ofthe leader.
“I kind of picked up the strong work ethic from some of the older guys thatwere here when I first came to Kentucky,” said Johnson. “Like Marlon McCree,Willie Gary and Jeremy Bowie. All of those guys worked really hard and Ijust kind of picked that up from them and now I try to pass it along to theyounger guys.”
While Johnson had some great role models on the UK team when he first donnedthe Blue and White, he has a special place in his heart for his true rolemodel.
“My role model has definitely got to be my dad,” Johnson said. “I’m so proudof all the things he’s been able to do in his life and do for us as afamily. I love my dad to death and will always look up to him. I guess a lotof people think that their dad can do no wrong but I just feel like Icouldn’t ask for a better role model than him.”
Family is important to Johnson and that’s one reason why he will have someextra support here when he makes his final appearance as a Kentucky Wildcatagainst Vanderbilt on Senior Day.
“All of my family will be here for Senior Day and they’ll all be back forgraduation,” said Johnson. “I’m really close with my family and they make itto as many games as they can. It means a lot to have people who love andsupport you like that.”
With Senior Day just around the corner, Johnson wonders what it will be liketo play his last game in front of the Wildcat fans.
“It’s going to be really emotional,” said Johnson. “I just love playingfootball here and it’s been a great time in my life. It just seems like it’sgoing by so fast now. I can’t believe that it’s getting so close to the endof the season. I guess I will just kind of reflect back on everything I’vebeen through since I’ve been here and just thank God that I had theopportunity to play here.”
Johnson knows there will be an adjustment once his time at Kentucky is done.He sees it as more than just not getting to hang out with his teammatesanymore. He knows they’ve become more than just teammates.
“I’ll really miss the guys around me,” said Johnson. “Over the years, we’vebecome just like a family. Especially the guys I came in with. I’ll alsomiss the routine. I’ve done it for five years now. Just to get out of thatcomfort zone and go on to something else will be hard. There are so manythings that I will miss about going to school and playing football here thatI couldn’t even list them all.”
As much as Johnson will miss UK, he will be missed just as much by hiscoaches, his teammates and the Wildcat faithful. Johnson’s love of familyand quiet leadership make him easy to root for on Saturdays. Combine thosequalities with his strong work ethic and the “nose for the ball” for whichhe has become so well known, and he will not be easily replaced on theWildcat roster.
