Robert Johnson (American Football) life and biography

PRO:
The Titans added a rangy, ball-hawking young talent in the secondary when they drafted Utah’s Robert Johnson. As a rookie, Johnson has a chance to add depth at safety and contribute immediately on special teams. An All-Mountain West Conference performer as a senior, Johnson spent three seasons with the Utes after transferring from L.A. Southwest College.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
• Despite playing only three seasons at Utah, Johnson tied for fifth in school history with 13 career interceptions.
• In his senior campaign, Johnson was named first-team All-Mountain West Conference after registering six interceptions.

TITANS TIDBITS:
• When he was just six years old, Johnson and his family were forced to confront a terrible tragedy when his father, Wayne, was shot and killed in a robbery. Johnson says ultimately it made his family stronger and credits his mother, Wanda, with persevering through the loss.
• Johnson, who himself did not own a car when he was drafted by the Titans, said in the aftermath of the draft that one of his first goals as a pro would be to earn enough to get his mother a reliable car.
• Johnson, who graduated with a sociology degree in December 2009, is interested in becoming a SWAT team member or FBI agent when his playing career is finished.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS:
• The Los Angeles, Calif., native was selected by the Titans in the fifth round (148th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.

COLLEGE:
• In three seasons at Utah, Johnson played in 37 games with 31 starts at free safety, including all 13 games as a senior. He left the school ranked tied for fifth in school history with 13 career interceptions, and his 172 career interception return yards ranked ninth in team history. He added 155 tackles, five tackles for loss, 26 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

AS A SENIOR (2009), was a first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection who started all 13 games at free safety. Finished second in the conference and tied for 11th in the nation in interceptions per game (0.46), and his six interceptions tied for the third-most in a season by a Ute. Led Utah and tied for second in the MWC in passes defended with 12 (six interceptions, six additional pass breakups). His 139 yards on interception returns tied for the eighth-highest total in a season by a Ute. Led the secondary and finished fourth on the team with 70 tackles.
• At Oregon (9/19), returned fumble 28 yards for touchdown.
• At Colorado State (10/10), named MWC Defensive Player of the Week as well as College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) National Defensive Performer of the Week after making three interceptions on CSU’s final three possessions of a close game. Totaled four passes defensed and five tackles.
• At UNLV (10/17), set career long with 64-yard interception return for a touchdown.
• Against Air Force (10/24), set career high and team season high with 15 total tackles.
• Against Cal in Poinsettia Bowl (12/23), registered four tackles, one interception and two additional pass breakups in Utes victory.

AS A JUNIOR (2008), played in 12 games with 11 starts and totaled 41 tackles, four interceptions and three pass breakups. All four interceptions came against ranked opponents (two vs. Alabama, one vs. TCU and one vs. BYU). Contributed to Utah becoming only unbeaten FBS team and to team’s No. 2 final AP ranking and No. 4 final coaches ranking.
• At New Mexico (11/1), posted season-high eight tackles.
• At BYU (11/22), made game-ending interception and added six tackles in the game.
• In Sugar Bowl victory vs. Alabama (1/2/09), registered two interceptions and three tackles.

AS A SOPHOMORE (2007), played in 12 games with seven starts at free safety, earning honorable mention All-MWC. Forced a team-high five turnovers (three interceptions and two forced fumbles) and totaled 44 tackles.
• Against UCLA (9/15), named the Bronco Nagurski National Defensive Player of Week, MWC Defensive Player of the Week and won an ESPN Helmet Sticker after totaling two interceptions, a pass breakup, six tackles and a forced fumble into the end zone for a touchback.
• At BYU (11/24), posted season-high 12 tackles and one pass defensed.
• Graduated with bachelor’s degree in sociology in December 2009.

AT L.A. SOUTHWEST COLLEGE (2006), earned honorable mention junior college All-American honors in addition to All-Conference, All-District and All-State awards. Totaled 96 tackles, five interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.
• Also ran track for L.A. Southwest, clocking 21.65 in 200m and 47.52 in 400m events and posting a 6’8” high jump.

PERSONAL:
• Splits time between Nashville and Los Angeles.
• As a senior at Fremont (Calif.) High School, was named to L.A. Times 2005 All-Region team. Named 2005 Defensive Co-Player of the Year in the Coliseum League.
• Also earned three letters in track and basketball, earning All-District honors with the high school basketball team.
• Was a member of Utah’s Student-Athlete Mentors (SAMS) program.
• Brother, Elijah, played wide receiver for L.A. Southwest College.
• List of favorites: (movie) “Old School”; (TV show) “Family Guy”; (actor/actress) Will Smith, Angelina Jolie; (music artist) Ludacris; (school subjects) history; (author) John Steinbeck; (video game) Call of Duty; (food) pasta; (sports hero) Bo Jackson; and (sports teams as a child) L.A. Lakers.
• Born Robert Lee Johnson on Feb. 13, 1987 in Gardena, Calif.

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