Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Edward Fieder
Experienced Freshman Ready to Start Season
8/25/2011 7:49:00 PM | Football
Zach Johnson had an above average high school football career at Dawson County High School in Dawson, Georgia.
He was a four-year starter on the offensive line, a first team All-State selection as a senior, was selected to the Gainesville Times Elite 11, and participated in the Georgia North vs. South All-Star game.
But, Zach's path to collegiate football was a little different than average. He graduated from Dawson County a semester early after his coach, Jeff Lee, told him that would give him a better chance to sign a football scholarship.
“Coach told me if I graduated a semester early it would look better to colleges because I can get spring training and workouts in,” Johnson said.
In order to graduate early, Johnson spent all of his junior year and his first, and only, semester as a senior taking just core classes. He then enrolled at Troy University in January and participated in spring practice, giving himself an advantage over the other incoming freshmen.
“Everything, to littlest detail, you have to get right,” Johnson said. “Every foot placement, steps you take, and hand positions have to perfect.”
During practice, Johnson has been backing up the right and left guards and occasionally playing center. That ability to play multiple positions on the front make him a strong candidate to be in the 10-man offensive line travel squad to start the season.
What attracted Johnson to Troy was their interest in him. Schools like Georgia, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt and Tennessee also recruited him, but he felt a genuine connection with Troy.
“I didn't want to wait to see what those bigger schools did because I didn't want to go to a school that just gave me an offer because someone else gave me an offer,” Johnson said. “I wanted to go to a school that actually wanted me.
“Coach John Schlarman told me he didn't want to wait for someone to offer me, he wanted me now.”
Johnson took an unofficial visit to campus during the Arkansas State game last year.
“The first time I stepped foot on campus I just fell in love with it,” Johnson said. “There is something different about this campus than everywhere else I've been too.”
He received a full tour of campus during the FIU weekend.
“It felt weird leaving because I felt like this was home,” Johnson said. “That's when I knew this place was for me.”
Johnson credits former Trojan offensive lineman Tyler Clark as being the biggest mentor during his short time here. The one person he has not had a chance to get to know well yet is his head coach, Larry Blakeney.
“I haven't had a lot of one on one time with him, but I think he has hired one of the best coaching staffs in the nation, which is why Troy is consistently winning championships,” Johnson said.
Johnson has a calm nature that he brings to the game. His pre-game routine consists of quietly sitting by his locker, reading the bible, saying a prayer and clearing his mind. With his work ethic and determination, he should become a force to be reckoned with for the Trojans over the next four years.
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