Cornerback Kennar Johnson (10) goes through a drill during a Georgia practice in Athens, Ga.Georgia has a lot of new faces in its secondary this year, but cornerback Kennar Johnson is easy to recognize.
“I haven’t had a haircut in three years,” Johnson said after Thursday’s practice.
The lengthy dreadlocks have accompanied the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder to Athens after a journey that began at East Ridge High in Clermont, Fla., and continued to Reedley College in Reedley, Calif., and Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinson, Miss. Johnson recorded 34 tackles and three pass deflections last year at Gulf Coast and insists that learning a fourth defense in as many years will not be a burden.
There is, after all, his experience factor with such challenges.
“It’s been tough, but I’m a smart guy when it comes to football, and I can learn quick,” Johnson said. “I’m just taking what they give me and running with it. I’ve learned each system that I’ve been under fast, and especially being an SEC player, you’ve got to learn things fast because it’s so fast-paced.”