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ZachJohnson
- position Defensive Back
- height 5-10
- Weight 193
- class Fifth Year
- Hometown Cincinnati, Ohio
- High school Colerain
2021 -* Senior
- Elected to return for a fifth year, taking advantage of the NCAA’s ruling to grant an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Kentucky’s primary kickoff returner
2020 – Senior
- Burlsworth Trophy nominee, an award given to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field
- Named to SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll
- Has played in 44 career games, including 10 in 2020
- Missed his first game since 2017 when he didn’t dress vs. South Carolina due to COVID protocol
- Totaled 11 returns for 228 yards, averaging 20.7 yards per return, also had a tackle
2019 – Junior
- Saw action in all 13 games
- Had six kick returns for 164 yards (27.3)
- Had a 58-yard return, the longest of his career, at Georgia
- Also had four tackles
- Got his first career PBU vs. Vanderbilt
- Named to SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll
2018 – Sophomore
- Had eight tackles in 13 games on special teams, most of them highlight-reel worthy
- Earned a full scholarship in the 2018 fall camp
- Dean’s List (Fall 2018)
2017 – r-Freshman
- Saw action in eight games on special teams
- Had two kick returns for 35 yards
2016 – Freshman
- Redshirt season
High School
- A two-year starter and three-year letter winner at Colerain for head coach Tom Bolden
- Helped the Cardinals compile a 44-8 overall record and four conference championships in his four seasons, including a 12-2 record as a senior
- Averaged 8.0 yards per carry
- Ran for 142 yards and a TD as a junior
- Named first-team All-Conference as a senior
- Honor-roll student
- Chose UK over Georgetown Univ., Navy and Army
Community Cats
- Volunteered at Athens-Chilesburg Elementary and Rosa Parks Elementary (2020)
Personal
- Born in Cincinnati, Ohio
- Son of Aubrey Johnson and the late Cindy Johnson
- Siblings are Brittany, Kirt, and Madison
- Got married in March of 2021 to long-time girlfriend, Sydney Fannin
- Graduated in December of 2020 with a degree in health promotion … Currently working on a master’s degree in sport leadership
Zach Says
- He chose Kentucky because it’s been his favorite school since he was young
- After football he would like to pursue a career working in a hospital
- When he played football as a kid he pretended to be Reggie Bush
- His sports hero is Marshawn Lynch because of his work ethic
- Best advice he’s ever received is “remain humble and work for everything you get”