Cut From a Different Cloth

Episode 57: Rodney Johnson Jr. (University of Louisville Cornerback)

🎙 In this episode: I talk with Rodney Johnson Jr., a defensive back for the University of Louisville whose road to big-time college football was anything but easy. From growing up in New Orleans to surviving major injuries, changing schools, and defying the odds, Rodney’s story is one of resilience, raw honesty, and relentless belief. He opens up about football as survival, Louisiana pride, and what it means to carry your family on your back.

🔹 Growing Up Fast
As the oldest sibling, Rodney had to become the man of the house early—shaping how he leads and competes today.

🔹 Football as a Lifeline
In his New Orleans neighborhood, sports weren’t just a dream—they were the only way out for many kids.

🔹 More Than Talent
Despite size and speed, Rodney wasn’t handed anything. He had to grind, prove himself, and wait for others to finally see what he knew all along.

🔹 “We’re Louisanimals”
Rodney dives into what makes Louisiana athletes different—and why the state keeps producing NFL stars.

🔹 Coaching That Goes Beyond the Game
Louisiana coaches, he says, treat their players like sons, guiding them away from the pitfalls they once knew too well.

🔹 Injuries and the Comeback
After dominating in track and rising in football, Rodney’s high school career was derailed by two major injuries. Every offer disappeared—except one.

🔹 The Only Offer Left
Stephen F. Austin gave him a shot when no one else would. From there, he started building his way back—step by step.

🔹 Betting on Himself
Told he needed to prove it at the highest level, Rodney transferred again—this time to Louisville—with NFL dreams in mind.

🔹 Playing for His Son
Everything changed when he became a father. Now, he plays for more than himself—he plays for Rodney Johnson III.

🔹 The “Single Parent Football Team”
He recalls a coach’s half-joke, half-truth: kids from single-parent homes have something to prove—and it shows on the field.

🔹 NIL Whispers and Recruiting Twists
Rodney shares the wildest NIL story he’s heard involving Georgia—and weighs in on Louisville snagging Vince Marrow from Kentucky.

🔹 Legacy Over Stats
What does he want to pass down to his son? Not just athletic success, but a mindset: give it your all, and do it with joy.