Gavilan offensive lineman accepts full scholarship with Division
I school
Gilroy – Clayton Johnson knew when he visited University of Nevada-Reno for its game against Boise State that he wanted to wear the Wolf Pack uniform next year.
It certainly wasn’t because of the outcome of the game, which ended with the Broncos busting UNR 38-7. There was a certain feel about the campus, the coaches and the players that told Johnson this is where he wanted to be.
After two decorated seasons as an offensive lineman at Gavilan, Johnson accepted a full scholarship to UNR and will be given the opportunity to be a starting offensive tackle in the 2007 season. Kansas State, Akron and San Jose State were others school to show interest.
Johnson likes the direction of the Wolf Pack, which finished 8-4 this season and will face Miami in the MPC Computers Bowl. He says UNR has games scheduled with Nebraska, Florida State and Notre Dame in the next three years, and felt he wanted to be part of a rising program.
“The thing about Clayton is he not 19, and not an immature person,” Rams’ coach John Lango said. “His work ethic is like a 25-year-old, which is what he is. He understands what needs to happen.
“We may have helped him a little in his development. He did all the work, whether in the weight room, classroom or on the field. We asked him to be more vocal this season and he was. That young man made himself into what he is.”
Many junior college students have interesting stories, but Johnson’s is one of the more original. An exceptional high school student, he didn’t feel college was for him after graduation so he went into the work sector right away. Two years ago, he decided he wanted to be a police officer in San Jose.
He needed an Associate’s degree to be eligible so he opted to attend Gavilan, though not with the idea of playing football. Lango saw him in weightlifting class and asked if he wanted to play football. Johnson said yes if he could be a defensive lineman. Lango agreed, then promptly changed him to the offensive line in practice.
“I felt kind of duped,” Johnson admitted. “I was a little upset with his decision. Now I look back and realize it was for the greater good. We’ve grown really close. We both had the same vision.”
From one who didn’t plan to attend college, Johnson’s vision is earning a degree from UNR and playing professional football, in that order. If the second doesn’t work out, he can go into criminal justice or he may consider coaching. He’s convinced Reno is where he belongs for the next two years.
“I think I am a better fit in the Nevada program with the coaches, players and system,” said the 6-4, 304-pound Johnson, who will major in Criminal Justice. “I will have more opportunity to develop as a player there, as well as the academic program I want is there.”
Be assured, the academics are as important to Johnson, whose family lives in Morgan Hill. A first-team Academic All-American, he carries a 3.983 grade point average in the classroom. He begins Jan. 22 at UNR.
“We’ve always told our kids that they need to take care of business in the classroom, on the field and in their social lives,” Lango said. “Our guys can see what we’re talking about when they look at Clayton. He showed that if you take care of that stuff, you can go on to the next level.”
