University of Tennessee Athletics
Photo by: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
Blessed to be Here: The Story of Deandre Johnson
October 15, 2020 | Football
When Deandre Johnson enters a room, his bright half smile and quiet swagger outlined by a South Florida confidence exudes a serene energy. It contradicts the ferocity of his 6-3, 255-pound frame that punishes vulnerable and unsuspecting quarterbacks on Saturdays.
But that's who Johnson is, layered and laid back off the gridiron, precise and play-making on it.
Those are attributes he's aware of and that he's worked for.
"I'm pretty laid back and a reserved guy. I'm pretty funny and I got a good attitude about me," Johnson said. "I got a natural vibe about me and I feel like my presence and energy when I enter a room, it changes people around me.
"But when I get on the field, it's strictly business. I'm out there for one reason. I just want to hit, be physical and dominate my opponent."
Johnson's business mentality on the field has paid off throughout his time at Tennessee as a constant contributor, but in 2020 his play has been a highlight for the Volunteers.
The Miami, Florida, native leads the SEC with 3.5 sacks after three outings, including a career-defining game in the season-opening win over South Carolina. Johnson recorded six tackles, 2.5 TFL and 2.5 sacks against the Gamecocks. Thanks to his breakout game, Johnson garnered his first career honor as SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honor on Sept. 28.
The honor catapulted Johnson into the spotlight, but his meekness was evident even when he addressed the media. When asked about the conference recognition, Johnson took the focus off of himself.
"It definitely was great," Johnson said during a press conference. "I felt great out there, but I couldn't have done it without my teammates. Hats off to the front seven, they allowed me to play great and I'm just thankful."
Johnson's gratitude is a consistent -- a trait that was embedded in him early. And it would be a near tragedy that served to reinforce just how precious life, football and family are.
A Dream that Almost Wasn't
But, according to Johnson, something internally – a voice – told him to turn around. As Johnson turned around a knife came toward him.
The crowd scattered, his friends gripped him and an addlepated Johnson numbed. After dizzily stumbling to the school's outdoor courtyard, Johnson blacked out. He regained consciousness to first responders.
Johnson had been stabbed three times under his right chest by a student that suffered from emotional and mental trauma. The knife punctured a lung and hit a small artery. As Johnson was rushed to Miami Children's Hospital in need of surgery to drain a blood-filled lung, he thought about family…and football.
"I remember my parents telling me that the first thing I was asking was, 'Am I going to be able to continue playing football,'" Johnson said. "I feel like there was a purpose behind it and I think if it would've happened to anybody else at the school, they may have died."
Johnson, who grew up in Goulds, a municipality in the south of Miami, remembers a sense of calm overcoming him amid all of the chaos, uncertainty and his eight-day hospitalization.
"When I came back (into consciousness) it was something just telling me 'you're going to be good, you're going to be straight.' The rest was like a movie. I started walking on the fifth or sixth day."
Johnson still bares scars from that day, but often forgets that it happened, until looking in the mirror. It has given him an even more grounded perspective.
"I feel blessed to be here," Johnson said. "I just had a chip on my shoulder and want to come back and prove myself more. It just made me work harder."
Johnson eventually transferred to Miami Southridge Senior High School and led his team to a state championship in 2016.
Miami Foundations
"It's a different type of ball. You just have to be tough at a young age," Johnson said. "Everybody down there (in Miami) is fast and mostly everybody is good. You're getting tackled at an early age by people that are like 15 or 16. You're going to grow up faster than you would anywhere else. (Football) became an instant passion for me."
Football provided a constructive outlet for Johnson and many of his cohorts amid the fast-paced and distracting backdrop of a colorfully complicated city like Miami. Known for the bravado of beaches, nightclubs and celebrity sightings, Johnson's neighborhood, where the median household income is $37,892, is a stark contrast to what most vacationers experience.
"Miami is a tough place to grow up," Johnson said. "It's like being in a crate full of crabs – everyone is trying to pull you down and there's not a lot of motivation. I stuck close to my family and friends and people doing positive things in the community."
However even with some of the difficulties surrounding the city, Johnson eagerly returns to Florida for family time and food.
"I always go to Sangos. It's a Jamaican spot. Their curry shrimp and rice and peas are undefeated," Johnson said enthusiastically. "Also, my auntie will cook, and she stays across the street from my mom's best friend so we gather a lot."
The oldest of three, Johnson said his parents' impact is everlasting. Lessons from his father "to be your own man" still resonate, while lessons from mom, Michelle Williams, have kept Deandre focused on school work. However, it's Johnson's three-year-old sister, Ava, who motivates him.
"My youngest sister is my biggest influence," Johnson said. "She looks up to me and she's always asking about me. I have even more pressure on my shoulder to succeed because I know she's following in my footsteps."
Family always draws Johnson back home, and it was that same feeling that drew him to Rocky Top.
Enjoying Rocky Top
"It felt like home and a place I could succeed," recalled Johnson, who majors in communication studies. "I fell in love with the academic side of the school. It just felt like the right decision to make.
"In Knoxville, you just lock in with the nature here. It's a slower pace and I have cool peace of mind. It's a different feeling in the air. The people here are nicer and when you're winning it's just a different place."
Johnson and the Vols have reinvigorated the enthusiasm on Rocky Top recently. He credits head coach Jeremy Pruitt with the success the team has had so far and continues to work hard to surpass.
"You have guys in the locker room that are locked in," said Johnson, who sports the No. 13 jersey. "You have guys willing to go to work every day. It's most definitely the culture. I feel like Coach Pruitt emphasizes that. We hold each other accountable now."
The Vols (2-1) head into their fourth game of the 2020 season, a season that was uncertain several months earlier due to the coronavirus pandemic.
While Johnson and his teammates prepare to defend their undefeated streak against Kentucky under Pruitt on Saturday at home, Johnson pauses to appreciate being able to continue to do what he loves.
"I'm thankful for sure, but I'm still pushing for more and to get better. I'm trying to be a better teammate and be a better person. I'm just trying to grow and improve mentally every day.
Players Mentioned
LB
/ FootballFB | Jim Knowles Media Availability (2.19.26)
Thursday, February 19
FB | Anthony Poindexter Media Availability (2.19.26)
Thursday, February 19
FB | Derek Jones Media Availability (2.19.26)
Thursday, February 19
FB | Andrew Jackson Media Availability (2.19.26)
Thursday, February 19
