Keyonteze Johnson[1] (born May 18, 2002) is an American college football wide receiver for the Oregon Ducks. He previously played for the Troy Trojans.

Tez Johnson
Johnson in 2024
Oregon Ducks – No. 15
PositionWide receiver
ClassSenior
Personal information
Born: (2002-05-18) May 18, 2002 (age 22)
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight160 lb (73 kg)
Career history
CollegeTroy (2020–2022)
Oregon (2023–present)
Bowl games
High schoolPinson Valley (AL)
Career highlights and awards

Early life

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Johnson was born on May 18, 2002, in Birmingham, Alabama.[2][1] His father died by suicide when he was an infant and Johnson grew up in government subsidized housing in Pinson, Alabama.[1] At age 15, he was adopted 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.[4]

Johnson was a three-year starter at the school and was a first-team all-state selection as a junior when he caught 106 receptions for 1,457 yards and 10 touchdowns, including a 17-catch, 247-yard, three-touchdown performance in one game which was the eighth-most catches in a game in state history.[5][6][7] He caught 62 passes for 1,140 yards and 12 scores as a senior while being invited to the Alabama–Mississippi All-Star Game.[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.[6]

College career

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Johnson entered Troy in 2020 and as a true freshman played 11 games totaling 18 receptions for 211 yards.[8] He was the team's leading receiver in 2021 with 67 catches for 735 yards and four touchdowns, being named third-team All-Sun Belt Conference.[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.[10][11] Johnson entered the NCAA transfer portal following the 2022 season.[12]

Johnson ultimately transferred to the Oregon Ducks, joining his adoptive brother Bo Nix, the team's starting quarterback.[13] He became Oregon's second-leading receiver, behind Troy Franklin, and helped them reach the 2023 Pac-12 Conference title game.[14][15]

College statistics

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Season Team Games Receiving Rushing Punt Return Kick Return
GP GS Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD Ret Yds Avg TD Ret Yds Avg TD
2020 Troy 11 0 18 211 11.7 0 1 5 5.0 0 9 42 4.7 0 1 12 12.0 0
2021 12 12 67 735 11.0 4 2 35 17.5 1 8 63 7.9 0
2022 13 8 56 863 15.4 4 5 11 2.2 0 6 69 11.5 0
2023 Oregon 14 13 86 1,182 13.7 10 20 190 9.5 0 1 0 0.0 0
2024 11 11 78 866 11.1 10 13 155 11.9 1
Career 61 44 305 3,857 12.6 28 8 51 6.4 1 56 519 9.3 1 2 12 6.0 0

Personal life

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Johnson is a Christian.[16]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Oram, Bill (August 30, 2023). "Bill Oram: The 'so storybook' tale of how Tez Johnson and Bo Nix became brothers, Oregon Ducks teammates". oregonlive. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  2. ^ "Tez Johnson". Troy Trojans.
  3. ^ Greene, Brenna (August 9, 2023). "Tez Johnson, adoptive brother of Oregon QB Bo Nix, poised for breakout season". KOIN.
  4. ^ a b Oram, Bill (August 30, 2023). "The 'so storybook' tale of how Tez Johnson and Bo Nix became brothers, Oregon Ducks teammates". OregonLive.com.
  5. ^ "National Signing Day: Pinson Valley's Tez Johnson signs to play football at Troy; Hawkins to Samford". Trussville Tribune. December 18, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c "Tez Johnson". Oregon Ducks.
  7. ^ a b Smalley, Don (December 30, 2022). "Transfer Profile: 5 things to know about Oregon's new WR Tez Johnson". USA Today.
  8. ^ Hughes, Grant (December 30, 2022). "Oregon lands Troy leading WR, Bo Nix's adopted brother Tez Johnson via transfer portal". 247Sports.
  9. ^ Torres, Max (December 29, 2022). "Former Troy Wide Receiver Tez Johnson Commits to Oregon". Sports Illustrated.
  10. ^ Crepea, James (May 2, 2023). "Tez Johnson showcases speed, ability to gain yards after catch in Oregon Ducks spring game". OregonLive.com.
  11. ^ "Troy football's leading receiver entering transfer portal". WSFA. December 20, 2022.
  12. ^ Stephenson, Creg (December 20, 2022). "Troy wide receiver Tez Johnson, younger brother of Bo Nix, entering transfer portal". AL.com.
  13. ^ Neel, Zachary (December 29, 2022). "Ducks add transfer WR Tez Johnson, former leading receiver at Troy". USA Today.
  14. ^ Skopil, Erik (November 12, 2023). "Troy Franklin and Tez Johnson forming dynamic pass attack duo". 247Sports.
  15. ^ Peterson, Anne M. (November 25, 2023). "Oregon defeats Oregon State 31-7 for a spot in the Pac-12 title game". Oregon Public Broadcasting.
  16. ^ Mercer, Kevin. "MVP Tez Johnson leads No. 1 Oregon into CFP, knows God 'orders our steps'". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
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