Proven walk-ons are like gold in college football. The ones that earn playing time and even become starters are often fan favorites. Such is today’s player with the slightly more famous younger brother.
Race Johnson – Sr.
Carmel, IN (Carmel HS)
5’11”, 189 pounds
Cornerback
2017 Projection: Special Teams Contributor
Race Johnson has been one of those walk-ons challenging scholarship guys at cornerback for years. As a result, he has seen some spotty playing time and he has been a special teams guy for a while. In 2015 he saw action in three games and got one tackle while also being named academic All-Big Ten. Last season he saw more playing time, seeing action in eight games mostly on special teams with 2 more tackles. That gives him valuable experience on kickoff and punt teams that will help this season.
Race is also the older brother of Olympic diver Steele Johnson. In the middle of fall camp last season he even got dismissed for a while to fly to Rio and watch his brother earn a silver medal with David Boudia.