Getting to Know: Fred Johnson
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Like all of Florida's other incoming freshmen offensive linemen, Fred Johnson will have a chance over the next few months to make a move for playing time this season on an offensive line that was short on numbers this past spring.
A 6-foot-6, 300-pound three-star offensive tackle out of Royal Palm Beach High School in West Palm Beach, Fla., Johnson was offered by the Gators in October 2014 and chose Florida over Miami and Virginia Tech just a few days before National Signing Day on Feb. 4. Johnson plans to enroll at Florida starting the summer B semester in late June.
Johnson caught up with Inside the Gators for our "Getting to Know" series for the incoming 2015 signees.
What led to your decision to attend the University of Florida?
Johnson: Me growing up, I didn't know anything about sports, so I went into each college with the aspect that I didn't know anything about them. I'm not biased toward anybody. I went to Virginia Tech, Marshall, Miami - I had no bias. They had to prove that to me, and Florida, they proved that to me without even - the coaches, everybody in the entire program wasn't set like other programs' were. The way Coach Summers and Coach McElwain and all of them were, the way they talk, I could see this was something great. And then walking into the Swamp, I imagined all of the fans there, everything. I looked at everything about Florida - the history, the tradition - and I wanted to get it back to that. It wasn't a hard decision to make. I felt like the rebuilding phase, I wanted to be a part of that. When we accomplish something great, we will be written down in history as the '19 class.
What have your interactions with Coach Mac been like so far?
Johnson: Mac is so funny, but then after that he's serious. He knows what he wants to do with the program, and I feel like he's going to take it that way. Me personally, I like looking into stuff, so on YouTube I watched all of his interviews, the way that they handle practices, all of his reviews of practice, his press conferences, everything. I want to know what's going on being at Florida too even though I'm like 400 miles away.
How about with Coach Summers?
Johnson: Coach Summers is one of the best position coaches I have talked to. First day he came into the office, I said, "Coach Summers, can you please show me where I would be at?" Before I even finished my sentence, he already had the starting line on the board and had where I would fit into his program and what I need to improve and stuff like that. I feel like he's the guy to teach me to do what I have to do to improve and get better on the field.
What would you say is your greatest strength as a football player?
Johnson: My run blocking is most definitely my greatest asset. I like my pass blocking too, but I don't know how to come out of a three-point stance that well because we practiced as a two-point and it's something I have to work on. So my run blocking will be the greatest thing, and my athleticism.
What aspects of your game do you hope to polish this summer and during fall camp?
Johnson: I want to polish my speed and my run blocking. I want to improve on my run blocking. I like it now, but I want to improve on it. And then my pass blocking, I'm going to polish that up too. Really everything in my game. Starting to eat correctly, getting in condition and gaining muscle.
How do you envision your role on the team moving forward?
Johnson: With me, I know I'm not the greatest that ever came into Florida. I know I have stuff I have to improve, but I feel like with my drive and my athleticism, the way I overcome adversity is unrivaled because I had to work to get to where I'm at right now. I just got qualified like a week ago because of my grades. A year ago, it was because of my adversity that I didn't even want to play football.
What made you want to continue with football?
Johnson: Going into my junior year, I didn't think football would help me. I put all of my time into this and I thought I wasn't going to get anything out of it. When I started playing football and then I had all of these colleges coming after me, I really figured I could take this and be something special.
Have you decided on a college major yet?
Johnson: I want to become a physical therapist. If I see something else that might interest me, I might take that road, but right now it's just doing anything that I can do to become a physical therapist.
If you could play any team at home in the Swamp who would it be?
Johnson: I want to play Miami and Florida State. I want to play Florida State because I don't like them. I went in unbiased, but being a Gator I don't like Florida State. We had a chance to beat them last year but we didn't. And Miami, I want to beat them because I have a rival down there. My old teammate, (Charles Perry), he goes to Miami right now. And I want to play Miami because I feel it would be a good game.
Do you have any superstitions or rituals in your personal life for before a game?
Johnson: I would just listen to my playlist. Pre-game ritual, if we were on a bus or something, I would just envision myself playing and stuff like that.
Which artists are on your playlist?
Johnson: My favorite artist is Kevin Gates. I listen to a bunch of people. I also listen to Kendrick Lamar.
Which NFL team is your favorite?
Johnson: I don't have one.
If you were to eventually become a first round NFL draft choice, what is the first thing you would buy?
Johnson: A nice house - a house that's equipped to me and my size.
If you could play with any former college athlete, who would it be?
Johnson: Rod Johnson.
Who would you say is your favorite athlete?
Johnson: My favorite athlete would be Ray Lewis because of the way he had to work to get to where he's at. I heard about his story and I liked it.
What is one thing that Gator fans would be surprised to know about you?
Johnson: They would be surprised to know I like joking a lot. I'm a funny guy. In person I like joking and stuff, but when I put on a helmet I'm very serious.
What is your favorite TV show?
Johnson: It would probably be the cooking channel. I watch "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."
Do you have a favorite meal?
Johnson: I can't even tell you that. I don't know. I like everything. But my favorite dessert is red velvet cake.
If you had your choice of anyone on the planet, whom would you go out with for one dream date?
Johnson: Rihanna. It's just the way she carries herself.
Who would you most want to trade places with for one day?
Johnson: Kevin Hart. I want to see how it feels to be short.
Name one thing you can't live without.
Johnson: Probably my contacts. I can't see without them.
What is on your bucket list? Name three things you want to do before dying.
Johnson: Before I die, I would probably want to win two SEC championships and two NCAA championships, go around the world and then wrestle a gator.