Big expectations don't bother Johnson. He had 73 catches for 1,060 and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore at Chabot College in Hayward, Calif., before transferring to Kentucky last season.
"I feel good about the expectations. It is regular from what I have done in junior college. The reason they brought me here was to put up some numbers. It is like a party and everybody is waiting for me to arrive. I am ready to," Johnson said. "Working with Keenan and Dicky in the meeting rooms is making it a lot easier than it would be if I didn't have any help. It is an experience with those guys."
He made only 12 catches for 159 yards and one score in 13 games, but in the Music City Bowl victory over Clemson he had three catches for 67 yards to justify the pregame confidence the coaching staff had in him when the coaches raved about his improvement.
This season he already has seven catches for 154 yards and three touchdowns.
Some wondered if he would even be on the field after a routine traffic stop turned into an altercation with police officers. Johnson was on his way to see teammate David Jones in the hospital after he had an emergency appendectomy.
"I didn't mean to cause any problems. I appreciate coach (Rich) Brooks standing behind me. Hopefully this catch (against Louisville) helped pay him back for the faith he had in me," Johnson said.
Johnson said he felt like a "robot" in training camp last year and for most of the season. Now he's much more comfortable in UK's offense.
"I can just relax and take care of business," Johnson said.
It also helps that Burton and Lyons have willingly shared their experience with him and are two of his biggest fans.
"We just all are like a band of brothers," Johnson said. "There is no pressure. All I have to do is what I have been doing since Pop Warner days. Just make the plays that I have been making."
Johnson was one of several Wildcats to get married since the end of last season. His wife and recently arrived daughter live in Lexington. When he is not with them, he likes "hanging out, playing video games and watching film" with Jones, Lyons and Burton. However, he makes it clear where his offseason priority lies.
"It's a beautiful thing having a wife and daughter," he said. "I have been with my lady 5 1/2 years. It's a great life."
Johnson knows how to have fun, too. His dreadlocks are multi-colored thanks to his sister, a professional stylist.
"It is different this year. Back in California, we are always changing our dreads. Last year I had blue tips. This time I have three different colors. My sister is a professional at doing this, so it only took her about 45 minutes to do it. It's all fun," he said.
Nothing would be more fun, though, than to continue using his speed, size and athleticism to give the Cats more wins like the one over Louisville. Many also speculate that he could have a NFL future.
"I am not really thinking about it too much, or even thinking too far down the road. I can't think about Vanderbilt or next year. I just have to play it day by day. Another day, another dollar is the right saying for me right now," he said.
