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Few local athletes seem to be having as much fun as Tejay Johnson.

The Egg Harbor Township junior is one of the state's top Division I college football prospects. He is also a track and field standout and plays basketball.

Johnson is almost always smiling and loves to talk about himself and teammates.

Johnson won the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes at last weekend's South Jersey Group IV championships. He will compete today and Saturday in the state Group IV championships at Egg Harbor.

A cornerback and wide receiver, Johnson made 50 tackles and picked off a pass last fall. He also scored 10 touchdowns. Rutgers, Louisville and Michigan State are among the colleges to offer him scholarships.

Johnson was born in Atlantic City but grew up in North Philadelphia. He moved to Egg Harbor Township when he was 14 years old.

On his first name: It's my mother's initials. Her name is Trudi Johnson. She says it was supposed to be Te'jay. But on my birth certificate it's Tejay. So I just went with it.

On the move from North Philadelphia to Egg Harbor Township: I wanted to move. Philadelphia can be a (rough) place. I knew it would better for me to make it in some kind of sport if I moved. I had a cell phone when I moved down here and it had a 215 area code. I didn't have a long distance plan. I went over my minutes so much that first month I just got my phone back.

On when he realized he was fast: I used to be slow. We used to play tackle football (in Philadelphia) on the cement. Every time I got a breakaway somebody would hawk me down and catch me. I made it my goal to be faster. I had a friend, Earl Spearman, and we went to the same school. We would always race and he would beat me. I was the second fastest kid in school. Then I switched to another school and in a relay race (at a track and field meet) we got the baton at the same time and I won by five or six steps.

On being a Division I football recruit: My coach tells me I'm handling it great. I don't get too worked up if a big school comes in or a Division I school comes in. I take it for what it is. I respect they want me to go to their school. It's a gift, and I stay humble because this could all be gone.

On his favorite sport: Football is my favorite. I have a love for track. Basketball might be the finest sport to play. But I love football. I love having the ball in my hands.

On what he does to relax: I like to chill. I like to hang out with my girlfriend, listen to music. My favorite restaurant is Red Lobster.

Is he a good dancer? Oh yes. If you check out my My Space (page) I got a couple of videos up there. I don't break dance. But I can do all the moves except I don't get on the floor. I'm known for my Wu-Tang dance.

On this weekend's state track and field championships: I'm confident in myself. But I can't take anything for granted. There might be a bad start. Anything can happen.

Told to Michael McGarry

 

Q&A

If the television is on, I'm watching

ESPN

What televisions show makes you change the channel?

College Hill

Favorite athlete

Kobe Bryant

Who's going to win the NBA title?

The Los Angeles Lakers

Favorite midnight snack

Kool-Aid and a bag of Lays

Jon and Katie are...

Married

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