— Clay Johnson may be a long way from becoming a household name for the University of Georgia football team, but at the G-Day spring scrimmage a few weeks ago, the receiver made the Bulldog faithful crack open their programs and search for No. 38.
Johnson, a 5’11 receiver out of Calhoun, managed to snag five passes for 75 yards. He led all receivers on the Black Team and was second among all receivers in the game. Johnson’s day was highlighted by 32-yard grab with a cornerback draped on his arms.
For many fans this might just seem like a regular day at work between the hedges, but for a walk-on from a small town, the game was a product of a lot grit and determination.
“That day was a lot of fun,” Johnson said. “It was tiring, but it was a special day. Injuries to some of the older guys gave me some snaps, and I just tried to seize the opportunity.”
Johnson has been seizing opportunities his entire football career. Before donning the red and black, Johnson caught balls at Phil Reeve Stadium for the Calhoun Yellow Jackets. There he had the opportunity to play under a coaching staff lead by head coach Hal Lamb, one of the most successful high school coaches in Georgia.
“All the coaches that I had the ability to play under are top-notch,” said Johnson. “They instill not only football lessons, but life lessons as well. They make sure to get to know you not just on a football level, but on a personal level. I talk to other kids here, and they are in awe of what Calhoun has done for me. It’s humbling.”
Due to his leadership and hard work, Johnson was named one of the captains of the football team at Calhoun. He contributed on both sides of the ball for the 2011 Class AA state championship team. That season, he also won a spot on the Georgia Sports Writer’s Association All Sports Team Defense, the Northwest Georgia Tip-Off Club Athletic Award and the Golden Helmet Award.
“Clay was one of the hardest workers that we’ve had in our program,” Lamb said. “He would do anything we ask him to do and he would do it full speed. Clay brings a lot to UGA through his work ethic and character. He is an extremely hard worker and I new he would progress quickly because of that.”
As his time as a Yellow Jacket drew to a close, it was time for Johnson to explore college options. While in Athens on a visit to the university, a phone call from his former head coach gave Johnson a chance to not only take classes, but to continue pursuing his passion.
“I was coming to visit for academics and Coach Lamb actually made a phone call to Coach Bobo for me,” Johnson said. “Bobo asked if I wanted to try out, and I got the opportunity over the summer to try and earn a spot. It all worked out.”
Johnson took full advantage of his chance that summer, earning a spot on the scout team in 2012. He became the latest receiver out of Calhoun High School to earn a spot at UGA, following in the footsteps of Kris Durham and Rhett McGowan.
Even though he never saw any snaps during the regular season, it didn’t take long for the coaching staff to see what kind of player, and person, Johnson is. They decided to redshirt him, providing him with an extra year of eligibility.
“He understands what playing here means,” UGA wide receivers coach Tony Ball said. “He understands tradition. He treats the team with the honor that fans of this team do. A lot of these kids don’t. Being a walk-on, you know he is going to be respectful and he is going to try hard. That goes a long way.”
When the 2013 season rolled around, Johnson once again found himself on the scout team assisting the first team in drills. However, his progress was acknowledged when he was awarded the Outstanding Offensive Walk-On at the end of spring practice. He also got to dress with the team and participate in warm-ups, ready for his named to be called on when the team needed him.
“Running out of that tunnel at Sanford probably gave me the biggest smile I’ve ever had,” Johnson said. “You can’t match the feeling of winning a state title, but that was close. It was literally my dream coming true.”
This spring Johnson made more strides as a receiver. Capped off by his eye-catching G-Day performance, he has managed to stand out among a veteran wide receiving corps. He has shown that he might have some of the best hands in the receiving corps.
“G-Day was an opportunity for fans to see Clay,” Ball said. “The thing is, he has been making those catches all spring long. Some of the adjustments he made in the air that day surprised me a little, but didn’t shock me. He has had great hands all spring.”
Johnson’s future as a starting UGA wide receiver remains uncertain, but with most of the Bulldog starting receiving corps graduating after this season, Johnson will get his shot in the next couple of years to crack the lineup. If his 2014 spring performance was any indication, the rest of his time with the team could be very productive.
“You can’t ask me where Clay will be in the coming seasons,” Ball said. “You have to ask him. I’m not in charge of that, he is. He is a great kid and if he works hard enough I could see him going far.”
After his days between the hedges are over, Johnson still wants football to be part of his life. However, it may not involve strapping on a helmet or lacing up cleats.
“I just switched my major to education, because I want to be able to teach and coach football,” Johnson said. “I want to be able to impact the lives of kids like the coaches back home impacted mine.”
Whatever Johnson does after he leaves the University of Georgia, he will bring a level of leadership and smalltown work ethic. Rest assured he will seize every opportunity that comes his way.