Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Edward Fieder
Trojan Way Nothing New For Troy Receiver
8/7/2011 10:00:00 AM | Football
The road to Troy, Alabama, for receiver Corey Johnson took a winding path, but living “The Trojan Way” is nothing new for the junior.
A native of Muskegon, Mich., Johnson spent the last two seasons playing at Garden City Community College in Kansas. That program has produced a number of talented players for the Trojans in the past, and Johnson plans to add his name to that list.
Johnson arrived as a mid-term signee and went through spring drills with his new team. Right away, the Troy coaching staff saw in Johnson the potential to help fill the Giant shoes left behind by the graduation of Jerrel Jernigan.
“He has a good skill set and is an extremely hard worker,” Trojans offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield said. “He was able to get in here in the spring and show us something and he has earned the right to be listed as a starter.
“I'll really be surprised if he doesn't make a lot of plays for us. He is tough and strong and he is filling a big roll in taking Jerrel's spot. I think he is up to the challenge of making some plays for us.”
Johnson has dealt with challenge and expectations his entire life. All he had to do growing up was look to his big brother, Ronald Johnson, for all the challenge he needed.
Ronald is just 14 months older than Corey, and was a first team prep All-American at receiver at Muskegon HS where he was ranked as one of the top 50 prep players in the nation. He took his talents west from Michigan and played four years for those other Trojans, at Southern California.
At USC, Ronald ranks fifth all time in school history with 1,351 career kickoff return yards. He also ranks sixth in school history with 20 career TD receptions, 10th with 138 career receptions and 15the with 1,750 career receiving yards.
The elder Johnson took that success into the NFL where he was a sixth round selection by the San Francisco 49ers.
Corey said the biggest thing he has learned from his brother is that it is not all about the statistics.
“I learned to always hustle,” Johnson said. “You have to move around on the hop. No one should tell you when to work, you should always be ready to work. Playing Division I football is a privilege and it is an honor to be here. I was taught that in high school and junior college. I learned that from watching him and growing up with him. It is all about the Trojans and the Trojan Way in my family.”
Even coming from a family that has known success on the college football field, Troy head coach Larry Blakeney said Johnson has big shoes to fill.
“We need Corey to help us fill some of the void of losing Jerrel because he is that kind of guy,” Blakeney said. “He is an inside guy who can move quickly and catch balls in the crowd. He can make plays, he just has to work on his consistency and make sure it is all just like breathing to him. He needs to be able to just go play and use his ability, no matter what he is asked to do.”
Corey followed in his brothers footsteps at Muskegon HS, piling up more than 800 receiving yards as a senior and ranking among the top 50 recruits in the nation. When he got to Garden City, he made the move to defensive back during his freshman year while still dabbling at wide out before switching back to offense full time last season. He had 47 catches for 500 yards as a sophomore.
“This is a great opportunity for me to step in behind a receiver that has gone on to the NFL,” Johnson said. “There aren't many receivers who get to go into the NFL in the third round. I have never been more excited in my life. I am getting confidence because Corey (Robinson) and I have been getting into a rhythm. We have been working hard on the field and off the field.”
Coach Blakeney said the hard work Johnson has put in since arriving in Troy, along with the tips he receives from his brother, should produce solid results on the field.
“I am sure he has drawn from his brother's experience and advice,” Blakeney said. “I know that Corey is a good young man and he has ability. I think he will be a very fine player for us.”
Trojans Take Sunday Off from Practice
The Trojans got to take Sunday off from the practice field, but continued with meetings and work in the weight room as a part of training camp. The team will be back on the practice field early on Monday morning for the first of eight scheduled practices during the coming week.
The team will practice twice on Tuesday and Thursday and will close the week with a scrimmage on Saturday morning.
Football Appreciation Night/Fan Day
The 2011 Troy Football Appreciation Night is scheduled for Saturday, August 20. The annual fund-raising event for the Trojans Football program will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are available for $125 per couple by calling 334-670-3683 or 334-670-3682.
The 2011 Fan Day is scheduled for Sunday, August 21, at 2 p.m. at Sartain Hall. Members of the football, volleyball, soccer and cross country teams will be on hand, along with the Troy cheerleaders, to pose for pictures and sign autographs. Admission to Fan Day is free and there will be free hot dogs and soft drinks available, while supplies last.
A native of Muskegon, Mich., Johnson spent the last two seasons playing at Garden City Community College in Kansas. That program has produced a number of talented players for the Trojans in the past, and Johnson plans to add his name to that list.
Johnson arrived as a mid-term signee and went through spring drills with his new team. Right away, the Troy coaching staff saw in Johnson the potential to help fill the Giant shoes left behind by the graduation of Jerrel Jernigan.
“He has a good skill set and is an extremely hard worker,” Trojans offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield said. “He was able to get in here in the spring and show us something and he has earned the right to be listed as a starter.
“I'll really be surprised if he doesn't make a lot of plays for us. He is tough and strong and he is filling a big roll in taking Jerrel's spot. I think he is up to the challenge of making some plays for us.”
Johnson has dealt with challenge and expectations his entire life. All he had to do growing up was look to his big brother, Ronald Johnson, for all the challenge he needed.
Ronald is just 14 months older than Corey, and was a first team prep All-American at receiver at Muskegon HS where he was ranked as one of the top 50 prep players in the nation. He took his talents west from Michigan and played four years for those other Trojans, at Southern California.
At USC, Ronald ranks fifth all time in school history with 1,351 career kickoff return yards. He also ranks sixth in school history with 20 career TD receptions, 10th with 138 career receptions and 15the with 1,750 career receiving yards.
The elder Johnson took that success into the NFL where he was a sixth round selection by the San Francisco 49ers.
Corey said the biggest thing he has learned from his brother is that it is not all about the statistics.
“I learned to always hustle,” Johnson said. “You have to move around on the hop. No one should tell you when to work, you should always be ready to work. Playing Division I football is a privilege and it is an honor to be here. I was taught that in high school and junior college. I learned that from watching him and growing up with him. It is all about the Trojans and the Trojan Way in my family.”
Even coming from a family that has known success on the college football field, Troy head coach Larry Blakeney said Johnson has big shoes to fill.
“We need Corey to help us fill some of the void of losing Jerrel because he is that kind of guy,” Blakeney said. “He is an inside guy who can move quickly and catch balls in the crowd. He can make plays, he just has to work on his consistency and make sure it is all just like breathing to him. He needs to be able to just go play and use his ability, no matter what he is asked to do.”
Corey followed in his brothers footsteps at Muskegon HS, piling up more than 800 receiving yards as a senior and ranking among the top 50 recruits in the nation. When he got to Garden City, he made the move to defensive back during his freshman year while still dabbling at wide out before switching back to offense full time last season. He had 47 catches for 500 yards as a sophomore.
“This is a great opportunity for me to step in behind a receiver that has gone on to the NFL,” Johnson said. “There aren't many receivers who get to go into the NFL in the third round. I have never been more excited in my life. I am getting confidence because Corey (Robinson) and I have been getting into a rhythm. We have been working hard on the field and off the field.”
Coach Blakeney said the hard work Johnson has put in since arriving in Troy, along with the tips he receives from his brother, should produce solid results on the field.
“I am sure he has drawn from his brother's experience and advice,” Blakeney said. “I know that Corey is a good young man and he has ability. I think he will be a very fine player for us.”
Trojans Take Sunday Off from Practice
The Trojans got to take Sunday off from the practice field, but continued with meetings and work in the weight room as a part of training camp. The team will be back on the practice field early on Monday morning for the first of eight scheduled practices during the coming week.
The team will practice twice on Tuesday and Thursday and will close the week with a scrimmage on Saturday morning.
Football Appreciation Night/Fan Day
The 2011 Troy Football Appreciation Night is scheduled for Saturday, August 20. The annual fund-raising event for the Trojans Football program will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are available for $125 per couple by calling 334-670-3683 or 334-670-3682.
The 2011 Fan Day is scheduled for Sunday, August 21, at 2 p.m. at Sartain Hall. Members of the football, volleyball, soccer and cross country teams will be on hand, along with the Troy cheerleaders, to pose for pictures and sign autographs. Admission to Fan Day is free and there will be free hot dogs and soft drinks available, while supplies last.
Goose Crowder - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Donnie Smith - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Gerad Parker - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Gerad Parker - April 16
Thursday, April 16