Lonnie Johnson: Kentucky can do something “real big” in 2017
Lonnie Johnson obviously saw something in Kentucky's football program, otherwise he would have chosen any one of a number of other options he had as a junior college recruit.
But the first-year transfer told CatsIllustrated.com this week that even though he had high expectations and hopes for what UK would entail for him, he's been pleasantly surprised.
He likes the coaches. He enjoys the facilities. He appreciates the opportunity.
But it's being around the players on this year's team that seems to have convinced Lonnie Johnson that the Cats have an opportunity to do perhaps even more than he imagined when he was a recruit.
Johnson enrolled a semester early so he's worked out with almost the entire current team for several months. And he likes what he sees on this year's team
“Coming here it’s actually different because you think about Kentucky being a basketball school but we’ve actually got the chance to do something real big this year,” Johnson told CatsIllustrated.com this week. “And you see it in all your players, your teammates out here grinding, everyone getting it done. You see the difference in the program and the way it’s changing. So I just like the way everything’s going right now at Kentucky and I can’t wait to see how we put it all together on the field.”
On Kentucky's first preseason depth chart Johnson was listed as a backup cornerback. He's fighting with rising redshirt sophomore Kei Beckham for the opportunity to step in for Derrick Baity when he comes out of the game.
Johnson has the same amount of eligibility remaining as Baity, so there's no time for waiting around. He's got to go out and win time now.
Regardless of how Johnson's first season plays out at Kentucky, he appreciates the opportunity. He's spoken at length in the past about the long, winding road that led him to a couple of detours from his dream of playing high-level Division I football.
So for Johnson to actually be at Kentucky, going on his second semester.
Grateful is a good way to describe how he feels.
“I got a lot of support behind me back in my city so it’s amazing to be here. I’m humbled to be here,” Johnson said. “I’m just ready. I’m really ready. I’m so excited for this season. It’s gonna be a big season so I’m just ready for it.”