Robert Johnson has come a long way from the mean streets of South Central Los Angeles, where he and his family used to move almost on an annual basis, where his father was shot and killed when he was 6 years old, and where many of his friends ended up dead or in jail.
Johnson is finishing up a successful three-year career at Utah, a place he'd never heard of before Ute assistant coach Kalani Sitake convinced him this was the place for him.
He's made the most of his time in Utah, both on and off the field, as an all-conference safety for the football team, a soon-to-be college graduate and through his service to the community.
Whether it's speaking to hundreds of junior high kids at the annual Salt Lake Kiwanis Club "Terrific Kids" program, which he's done for two years in a row, or coaching 8-year-olds in Pop Warner football for six weeks in the summer, Johnson is always eager to give back.
"He's the first to volunteer for that stuff," says Sitake. "He goes to elementary schools, juvenile centers — he's always trying to help people out. He always has a smile on his face and is really sincere in getting to know people."
"He loves serving others," adds safeties coach Morgan Scalley. "A lot of his past has been people taking things from him and dealing with adversity. He just wants others to be happy. We get e-mails all the time saying what a great representative and ambassador of our university he is. He's a special person."
You'll find that out after spending two minutes with the guy, enjoying his engaging personality and a smile that never stops.
"I like dealing with kids," Johnson says. "I like talking to people who haven't been in my shoes. I like telling where I grew up at and how hard it was for me. I just talk to them like I'm their friend. I just do it because I like it."
Johnson first burst onto the local football scene back in September of 2007. He had joined the team as a junior college transfer from L.A. Southwest College in August and, after two Ute losses that season, was given the starting free safety spot.
His strip of a UCLA player who was about to score a touchdown turned the game in Utah's favor and he also came up with two interceptions in the 44-6 victory, which earned him national player of the week honors.
The previous fall, he had been recruited by Sitake, who, while looking at another player, was blown away by the rangy Johnson.
"I didn't know anything about Utah," recalls Johnson, who was thrilled to get noticed by a major college. "When I'd tell people 'Utah,' they'd say, 'What's in Utah?' "
Sitake told him "Don't worry, just come" and while on a recruiting visit to Washington State — the only other major college that showed an interest — Johnson called and committed to the Utes.
He started seven games in '07, coming up with 44 tackles and three interceptions, despite playing the last half of the season with an injury that prevented him from raising his arm above his shoulder.
Last year, he had four interceptions, with all of them coming against ranked opponents, including two in the Utes' Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama.
This year, he picked off three passes in a comeback win over Colorado State and another against UNLV the next week, giving him five for the season. He didn't get any more interceptions the rest of the way, however, as most teams tried to avoid him at all costs. He hopes to get at least one more next week against Cal.
Looking back, Johnson is still sort of amazed with how things have turned out for him.
"I never thought I'd be here, coming from my background," he said. "It was all brand new. None of my family ever went to a Division I school, so nobody could tell me what to expect. I didn't know anything about Utah, either. It was one of those things where you had to come and experience it to see how it is and learn from it."
And how has it been for Johnson?
"It's been wonderful," he said.
Not only has he been able to play in three bowl games, including next week's Poinsettia Bowl game, and experienced an undefeated season, but he's earned his college degree. Although three older brothers played junior college football, Johnson will be the first in his family to earn a college degree.
"I'm starting something new," says Johnson, who would love his three younger siblings to follow in his footsteps.
It hasn't been easy for Johnson, but as Scalley said, "he's worked his tail off," with five core classes this semester alone.
"School is not something I'm pretty good at, but I just try my hardest and it's been working out for me," Johnson said. "I'm going to have my degree at 22."
Besides his sociology degree, Johnson will get his criminology certificate and envisions working with the FBI or another aspect of the law.
First, though, Johnson would like a chance to play in the NFL. With his size (6-feet-2, 200 pounds), speed and uncanny knack for breaking to the ball, Johnson will get a good look next spring. Scalley has no doubt Johnson can make it in the NFL.
"He's great in the post and makes unbelievable plays," he said. "His ability to cover ground is the best I've seen from the free safety spot. But you have to be more physical and be a factor in the run game if the NFL is going to look at you, and he's done that this year."
Sitake also won't be surprised if he sees Johnson on TV next year.
"You can never count him out," the Utes' defensive coordinator said. "A lot of people never thought he'd get his degree. He's been able to work hard and prove people wrong. I think he's going to be a great man in society, and I look forward to his future. He's going to impact people whether it's football or otherwise."
Poinsettia Bowl
No. 23 Utah (9-3) vs. California (8-4)
Dec. 23, 6 p.m. Qualcomm Stadium,
San Diego | TV: ESPN | Radio: 700 AM
e-mail: sor@desnews.com