Johnson ready to 'call in' on and off the field for his senior season
Texas head coach Tom Herman constantly asks those in his program to go 1-0 in everything they do. Whether it’s an offseason workout, an in-season practice, a test, or a game, 1-0 is a non-negotiable program principle for members of his team.
Senior WR Collin Johnson is a believer in 1-0. He’s a Longhorn though and through, just like the rest of the Johnson family. But Collin has his own small spin on 1-0 that he applies to his on field exploits and his off-field ventures.
“I always say ‘Call In Johnson,’” Johnson said Tuesday at Big 12 Media Days. “People are like ‘that’s a cool little phrase.’ People have to understand what it means to me. It means calling in your best self in everything you do whether you’re an athlete, a business owner, a student, a musician. Everyone has their passions in life. To me it’s something that everyone can take part in.”
“Call in. Call in your best self to everything you do.”
Johnson decided in January to return for his senior season in order to compete for a championship at Texas, play one more season with his brother, Kirk, and to complete his degree.
Though he came just short of 1,000 receiving yards and was left off of All-Conference lists despite a record-setting performance in the Big 12 Championship game, Johnson doesn’t have any personal numbers he wants to put up before moving on the the NFL. He wants to up his game for Texas.
“My goal is just to do everything I can to put UT in the best position to win games, and do everything in my power to do that,” Johnson said. “I just show up every day and work hard to try and be the best I can be.”
The University of Texas means a lot to the Johnson family. Collin’s father, Johnnie, was a two-time All-American for the Longhorns in the late 1970s. His younger sister, Camille, throws the javelin for the Longhorn track team. Collin’s older brother, Kirk, is a senior running back for the Longhorns who boasts a tattoo of The Tower on his arm.
“UT, it’s tradition and history is second to none,” Johnson said. “Me being able to be a part of that, it’s a blessing.”
Johnson is not only striving to be the best wide receiver for Texas and Herman’s football team, he’s also making sure to make a name for himself in other areas.
He launched his “Call In Docuseries” on his YouTube channel in early July. He had previously put videos on his channel where he has more than 14,000 subscribers.
Johnson has posted three videos in the docuseries: the first about his decision to return to Texas, the second about overcoming adversity and his recovery from injury, and the most recent about loving “the process,” or a glimpse into the life of a student-athlete.
It’s an opportunity for Johnson to build his brand and create a name for himself. He can’t profit monetarily, but he can build a brand around his name and promote himself as more than just a football player.
He said he’s received nothing but support from UT, and used his videos as evidence that Texas wants their players to be successful both on and off the field.
It also allows him to be a source of inspiration for others, what he called his “soul passion.”
“I know how much it meant to me when I was a kid if someone in my position would say something to me or made a video,” Johnson said. “I think to myself, what would I want or need to hear when I was younger? I have the platform to do so now for those guys.”
“I get to inspire people and build a little audience. It’s a win-win.”
The videos have undoubtedly increased in quality as Johnson has put more and more effort into his creative outlet. Over the life of his channel, Johnson has ‘called in’ and created entertaining clips that sheds light on the life of a student-athlete.
But a main reason he’s in Austin is to help the Longhorn football program win, and to become the best possible football player he can be.
Johnson has made a name for himself on the football field going back to his days at Valley Christian in San Jose, Calif. He’ll continue to make a name for himself on the football field when he likely makes the jump to the NFL after his senior season.
He believes he still has work to do before that time comes, and he’s ready to ‘call in’ to make sure he’s able to.
“I feel like I want to take my game to the next level in every aspect,” Johnson said.
