Even though most Bearcat football fans don’t realize it, Cincinnati won one of its biggest recruiting battles when it landed Winslow Township’s Reuben Johnson in January of 2009. The speedy New Jersey product had plenty of BCS schools courting him and recalled his recruitment after Monday’s practice.

“I had offers from just about everybody,” said Johnson. “All the ACC and all the Big East schools offered along with some other big schools. I had a lot of offers.”

In addition to the ACC and Big East schools, Johnson also had reported offers from Boston College, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan State, Minnesota and Tennessee, but a lacking SAT score scared some other people away. And it was that subpar test score that gave Cincinnati a fighting chance in landing the talented cornerback.

“To be honest, Cincinnati wasn’t on my radar. I was a real big fan of West Virginia and Tennessee, but Cincinnati crept into the picture when Coach Molnar stayed with me through the whole process. He kept checking on me when others forgot about me, and he kept telling me to get the score I needed and to stay out of trouble. He was like a mentor to me.”

Johnson did not sign with anyone on national signing day in 2008 but eventually did get the needed SAT score to academically qualify. Cincinnati kept looking better and better to the blue chip recruit.

“I had a good friend, Lynell Payne, who played here although he has since left the team for personal reasons, and I liked the idea of playing in the Big East. I didn’t want to stay at home, but I still wanted to play in front of my friends and family.”

Because the Bearcats had stayed in contact, kept an open scholarship, and seemed a good geographical fit, Johnson enrolled at UC for the 2009 winter quarter, and the Bearcat football program added a very talented recruit.

Although Johnson played on special teams and as a back-up cornerback in all thirteen games last season, he recorded only 5 tackles, but the true sophomore has already made 10 stops this year as a starter. He believes this has all been part of a much bigger plan.

“I feel like everything happened for a reason. Some people said I took the long road, but I took the road that God wanted me to take. I learned a lot, and I’m humbled by the road that I took. In the past, my talent got me by in a lot of situations, but last year I learned to be more disciplined with my technique, and that’s what has gotten me on the field this year.”

Johnson may have been humbled last year, but one would never have known it by watching him on the practice field. He brings a swagger and an attitude to the cornerback position and could often he heard jawing with Vidal Hazelton prior to the senior receiver’s season ending knee injury. Johnson claims all the talking was a sign of respect and just a part of who he is.

“Hazelton is one of the best receivers I have ever faced,” said Johnson. “That (talking) was just how I grew up. It’s just who I am, and I’m going to tell you how I feel and show you how I feel. That’s one of the best things about football. You can express your feelings as long as it’s in the right way.”

Although Johnson is only 5 feet 10 inches and 185 pounds, he takes pride in being a physical player.

“I want to be physical,” he said. “Some people see a 5 foot 10 inch cornerback and think they can bully him so I want my presence to be known. If they come on my side, they will pay a price for it. Coach Coombs (UC defensive back coach) really pounds that into our heads, and that’s how I want to be.”

Some underclassmen might be intimidated by playing on national television, but that’s not a part of Johnson’s DNA. He can’t wait for Thursday night’s ESPN game against North Carolina State.

“Who doesn’t want to play on national TV? We’re all one heartbeat. We all want to hold the rope and represent the C. We want to stand together on the biggest stage in college football. Big players make big plays in big games.”

Johnson’s nickname is “Daddy.” He got the name because he has eight siblings and was forced to assume a parental role early in life. To his credit, Johnson never used his tough home life as a reason to fail and has since reconciled with his once absent father.
“My dad wasn’t involved in my life until I was thirteen or fourteen,” he said. “He’s a great guy now, and I love him to death. He made some mistakes, but everyone does.”

Because of his faith, Johnson has been able to forgive, and because of his self-confidence, he sees a bright future ahead.

“I’m a Christian. I living life the right way and doing what I love to do. Now I get the chance to show my talent to the world. Thursday night Jersey will be shut down to watch Daddy play.”