He attended Andalusia High School, where he played basketball under coach Richard Robertson, as well as football.

He recorded 78 tackles, 32 assists, one fumble recovery, one blocked punt and 11 interceptions during his senior season.

Johnson received ASWA first-team All-State honors three consecutive times and was named to the Orlando Sentinel′s All-Southern Team and the Press Register′s Super Southeast 120 (No.

[1] He has made numerous visits to Alabama and said one of the reasons he chose the Crimson Tide over finalists Oregon, Florida, Louisiana State, and Southern California was to be near his mother, who suffered from diabetes.

As a true freshman in 2009, Johnson began the season as a backup, but soon had to step in for the injured Dont'a Hightower.

Nico Johnson was part of three BCS National Championship teams (2009, 2011, 2012) while playing for the Crimson Tide.