D3 Week Wildcat Spotlight: Kenyon Johnson

By Kalina Zagyva '29

04/10

A PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION

“I’m playing for the Lord,” says Kenyon Johnson, whose devotion to his faith and the Linfield football program can’t help but rub off on others.

After attending both Southern Oregon and Western Oregon universities, Kenyon Johnson finally found his place as a valued member of the Linfield football team.

The senior cornerback from Vancouver, Washington, discovered that being a Wildcat comes with a uniquely strong sense of camaraderie. He’s quick to note that the team has “such a good brotherhood. That’s the biggest thing I’ve noticed, especially from someone who has been to different programs.”

Recruited out of Hockinson High School, Johnson first headed to Southern Oregon University to play football during the fall and winter of his freshman year. Later that same year, he transferred to Western Oregon to play spring ball. That summer, Johnson made his final move to McMinnville to wear a purple jersey. Since then, he has been rising up the depth chart to become one of Linfield’s prized players and is receiving plenty of playing time.

Football was not the sole reason Johnson found himself transferring. The student-athlete originally declared himself a communications major at his previous schools before discovering the expansive health sciences programs offered by Linfield. Today, he is pursuing a degree in exercise science.

“I really liked what Linfield had to offer, so that was also a real driving force.”

The 6-foot-2,195-pound cornerback explains that as a team, Linfield strongly values work ethic and preparation.

“I’m really proud of how we approach every week, how we put our minds to our goal and continue to work really hard every week for it.”

Johnson calls the team dynamic “very selfless,” adding the built-in sense of mentorship between the new players and those who are returning.

“This year has been big for me to try to step up as a leader. I’m really trying to establish myself in that role as someone that people can look up to. I’m trying to set a good example every day.”

Teammate Caleb Woodcock says calls Johnson “a walking example,” of a great leader. Woodcock highlights the fact that “Kenyon walks and lives what he speaks,” demonstrating how Johnson has become a true role model in everything he does.

Each time he steps on the field, Johnson says, “I’m playing for the Lord…it’s what I seek to do every day.” His devotion to Christianity is apparent in all aspects of his life.

“Football used to be my identity,” he says, “and I used to identify my life, my ups and downs, through what was happening in football.”

However, after coming to live through his faith, Johnson’s mindset changed.

“I was able to become a better person and that helped me become the man I wanted to be. That helped me in aspects I wouldn’t have thought about before on the field.”

His devotion to those around him is clear as well, with Woodcock saying “Kenyon is a spiritual leader on this team. He is about what he believes and preaches. He tries to live as Jesus lived.”

Overall, Johnson describes his personal transformation as “being able to connect with my faith. The Lord has really helped to change me as a person and helped guide my life. Honestly, that just helped to change every aspect of how I play and how I carry myself on the field.”

His father, Karl Johnson, played football at Portland State University. As a child, Kenyon fondly remembers “watching football with my dad on the couch…looking up to that was always what I wanted to do.” Kenyon’s family also includes his two older brothers who played football, further inspiring him to begin playing as early as the third grade.

Not only is Johnson inspired by his father and brothers, but also by his mother, Melissa, whom he refers to as “Superwoman.”

“She’s been doing so much for us…she’s made many sacrifices for us. She makes all my games, and it’s something I’ve always looked up to.”

Kenyon Johnson, Linfield Football Roster

As Kenyon continues to lead the football team, he is consistently inspired by his family and is carried by the goal of glorifying God. Upon graduation, he intends to continue to pursue a graduate degree to further his career goals in the field of exercise science.

Even when he isn’t on the field, football will continue to shape Johnson’s life. He is pursuing his passion for exercise science, saying simply: “I’ve been connected to it my whole life. It’s what surrounds the sport I love.”

A PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION

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