Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The surname Johnson has some rich athletic history at Skyline High in Dallas.

Four-time Olympic gold medalist sprinter Michael Johnson went to Skyline as did former NBA star Larry Johnson, the No. 1 overall pick of the NBA Draft in 1991.

Gators linebacker Kylan Johnson made his mark at Skyline too, throwing 36 touchdown passes as the Raiders' starting quarterback his senior season.

Johnson's hometown remains close to his heart. He took teammates Rayshad Jackson and Jahim Lawrence, a pair of Miami natives, home with him this summer and showed them around. The trio will head back to the Dallas area in September when the Gators open the season against Michigan at AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.
 
Johnson played a game there in high school. Get Johnson talking about life back in Big D, and he is certain to mention his pop's barbecue and the person he considers the biggest influence on his life, his late grandmother Helen Johnson.

A redshirt sophomore who made the switch to defense at UF, Johnson is now a 20-year-old college student in search of a breakout season. He started six games last season and finished with 39 tackles, third among returning players now that safety Marcell Harris is out for the season.

Johnson's memory often flashes back to when he was 11. That was his age when Helen Johnson passed away shortly after picking him up at football practice.

"She was special,'' he said. "She helped raise me and my little brother. When my dad had to go to work, she said we would come to her house and stay. I saw her go through a lot. I really enjoyed her presence while she was in my life."

I caught up with Johnson recently for a Q&A to learn more about the player who had a career-high eight tackles and a sack in Florida's SEC East-clinching win at LSU last season:

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Q: What did you guys do when you took your teammates home?

A: We did a lot. Went out and ate a lot of bad food and desserts. It was fun.

Q: What is something Gator fans don't know about you?

A: I'm an open guy. If they ever need somebody to talk to, they can always hit me up. I understand. I can see where people are coming from.

Q: Where do you draw that trait from?

A: I just think everybody needs somebody to talk to. I know it would be exciting to hear from a Florida Gator and I'm a player that would listen.

Q: Your position group lost Jarrad Davis and Alex Anzalone to the NFL. What makes you think the group will be as strong this season?

A: Because we actually paid attention to what they did and the work they put into it. We also do the same thing. They had a lot more experience than us. They were great people and we are just following in their footsteps.

Q: Most vivid memory as a player at Florida?

A: The first time I had to step on the field at The Swamp. It was against UMass. I stepped onto the field and I remember the play. It was a blitz play for me. I almost recovered a fumble, too. That was my first play on actual defense. It was good for me.

Q: Best day on a football field?

A: I can't really say a game or a day. I can just say big games, they are exciting to me. The LSU game was awesome. I had fun during that game. I just like big stages. They are fun and they are exciting.

Q: What do you do on a day off?

A: I try not to be athletic on my days off. I just try to chill, maybe go to the beach or something.

Q: If you knew it was your final meal, what are you eating?

A: Fried chicken with mashed potatoes.

Q: Biggest influence on you as a player?

A: The people I work with. Teammates, coaches. I do it for them. We do it for each other.