Florida Gators’ running back Montrell Johnson grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana cheering on the LSU Tigers. In week 11 of the 2023 college football season, Johnson will head back to his home state of Louisiana to play inside Tiger Stadium for the first time as Florida is set to clash with LSU on Saturday night.
“I was absolutely an LSU fan, but right now I’m against them in any kind of way,” Johnson said on Wednesday. “Growing up, I used to love LSU. I loved watching Jamarr Chase, Joe Burrow and them. I loved watching them go to the national championship and win it all.”
Johnson had 14 division one offers out of De La Salle High School, but not one from his favorite school, the LSU Tigers.
“Most definitely,” Johnson said on whether LSU recruited him in high school. “They was recruiting me at one point in my high school career. They was playing some games though.”
“The previous coaches that was at LSU, they’d come visit me at the school and be like “I’m the best back in the state,” but no offer, you know what I’m saying? It’s not making sense. I kind of took that personal,” Johnson added.
Johnson plans on using the “games” LSU’s coaching staff played as motivation inside Tiger Stadium in week 11.
“There’s a lot of motivation. I just wanna show those coaches, you know, that atmosphere what I can do, what they kind of missed out on,” Johnson said.
Against the Tigers in 2022, Johnson found the endzone twice and totaled 62 rushing yards on 4.4 yards per carry. In 2023, Johnson will play in front of 20 or so of his family and friends, including his mom, sister, little brother, uncle, high school friends, and some of his high school coaches.
“It’s a great atmosphere, to finally play in front of my whole family. They can finally see me play live in a college football atmosphere. And I’m excited to play in Death Valley, my first time playing there. I’m just excited,” Johnson said.
Florida is set to face off against LSU at 7:30 PM EST inside Tiger Stadium.