[1] At age 15, he was taken in by the family of quarterback Bo Nix, whose father Pat was his high school football coach.

[3][4] He played football at Pinson Valley High School, with Nix and helped them win the class 6A state championship.

[6] Ranked a three-star recruit and the 39th-best player in the state by ESPN, he chose to play college football for the Troy Trojans.

[7][9] He remained Troy's top receiver in 2022, being named honorable mention all-conference while totaling 56 receptions for 863 yards and four scores.

[12] Johnson ultimately transferred to the Oregon Ducks, joining his adoptive brother Bo Nix, the team's starting quarterback.