Wide receiver John Johnson grew up in Georgia, but he had Hawaii on his mind.
While most of Warner Robins, Ga., was in REM sleep on autumn nights, Johnson watched telecasts of the UH football games.
“I liked watching Colt Brennan,” Johnson said of UH’s 2007 Heisman Trophy finalist, “and watching Hawaii play on TV. When I first saw them, the first thing that caught my eyes was the uniforms. And watching them sling the ball around. To me, that looked like fun. (Brennan is) slinging the ball everywhere, and they’re having fun. That really stuck with me growing up, especially when I started to understand the game.”
Johnson will be part of the Rainbow Warriors’ run-and-shoot offense, which has been resurrected after a six-year hiatus. Johnson, who played at Antelope Valley College in California the past two seasons, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser he will join the Warriors. He said he will report for the July 26 opening of training camp.
Johnson, who is 5 feet 11 and 190 pounds, is expected to bring a vertical threat to the Warriors’ four-wide offense. Johnson has been timed at 4.44 seconds over 40 yards, 10.86 seconds over 100 meters, and 22.36 seconds over 200 meters.
Johnson was a multi-sport athlete at Northside High, where football was the focus of Friday night spotlights. The Eagles fashioned themselves after Auburn with similar-looking uniforms.
Johnson was slowed as a Northside senior in 2015 because of a hamstring injury and the Eagles’ run-dominant offense. He did not play football in 2016 while recovering from the injury. But Antelope Valley took notice, promising that a couple of years in junior college would improve his stock. In 2017, Johnson averaged 18.2 yards per reception.
“I came out here,” Johnson said in a telephone interview from California, “and I did what I had to do. And now I’m about to play Division I ball.”
Johnson said he is attracted to Hawaii’s warm people and climate.
“Hawaii is attractive to me, not because of the tourist attractions, but because it reminds me of Georgia,” Johnson said. “Georgia can be hot and humid. I’m used to playing in humidity. I actually love the humidity.”
Despite living most of his life in Georgia, Johnson said he never rooted for the Georgia football team. In the 2008 Sugar Bowl, he cheered for UH against Georgia.
“I was a Michigan fan my whole life,” Johnson said. “Until now. Now that I’m going to Hawaii, I’m a Hawaii fan.”
