Nate Johnson came to Boone and impacted the football team immediately as a freshman. After receiving freshman All-American honors from a few publications last year, Johnson knows how special of a player he is.
Johnson grew up with four brothers and two sisters in Gaffney, South Carolina.
“We had each other,” said Johnson, a sophomore outside linebacker. “Our mom made sure we had everything we needed and everything we wanted, so it was fun.”
Johnson’s close relationship with his family directly led to him playing football and taking it to the next level.
“I played when I was younger but then I stopped playing for a little bit,” Johnson said. “I got back into it because my older brother was playing and I looked up to him a lot.”
He is still close with his brother, who is incredibly supportive of his success in his football journey.
When Johnson picked up football again in seventh grade, he played as a wide receiver. He was successful, but during the summer before 10th grade, his coaches suggested he transition to the defensive line.
“At first it was pretty difficult,” Johnson said. “As a wide receiver, you’re physical, but not on every play. In the trenches, you’re physical every play. I would say that was probably the hardest part.”
He improved each game and practice, putting in the hours on the field and in the weight room to become the best player possible.
“I feel like the route running translates to pass rush,” Johnson said. “Things like the jab step and the karaoke step really helped me learn.”
Johnson saw plenty of success after the position change. He finished his senior year with 59 total tackles, 26 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.
That season he received multiple honors, such as the 5-A Upper State Defensive Player of the Year and an all-state selection from the South Carolina Football Coaches Association. He was also selected to the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and was the Spartanburg-Herald Journal Player of the Year.
It all came together for Johnson and he found himself ranked as a top 10 prospect in South Carolina.
Johnson received 10 offers to play college football. Of all the schools that reached out to him, he felt like App State was the right fit and the best team to offer him.
He got right to work when he arrived in Boone and saw his efforts culminate in an excellent freshman season, accumulating 43 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. His sack total tied him for first in the nation out of all true freshmen. He also had one forced fumble at the end of the Cure Bowl to secure the win for the Black and Gold.
Johnson was named to the 2023 Freshman All-American first team by the Football Writers Association of America and The Athletic, Freshman All-American second team by College Football News and a true freshman honoree from On3. This marked the first time a Mountaineer made a Freshman All-American team since Clayton Howell in 2018.
“I didn’t really expect it at all,” Johnson said. “But I’m honored. I work hard.”
This season is all Johnson is focused on now. He had a productive training camp and has the country on notice after his previous season. He was named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team. Additionally, he is on the watch lists for both the Lombardi Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. However, he is not concerned with personal accolades.
“We have to win the Sun Belt Championship,” Johnson said. “We’re very confident coming into this season. Our running game got a lot better so we’re gonna pick up on that.”
The key to the defense that will help aid the search for a Sun Belt title is the return of Johnson and seven other defensive players. Keeping a group that large together created what the team expects to be sublime chemistry.
“On defense, you really need to communicate before and after the snap, tell your teammates what you see,” said Johnson. “Overall you just need to do your job, trust that your teammate will do their job and we’ll be alright.”
With players like Johnson wearing the black and gold, fans will be feeling better than alright. He will continue to strive toward a Sun Belt Championship during his time in the High Country.
