2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Corey Johnson Jr., RB, Cumberland University

• Name: Corey Johnson Jr.
• Position: Running Back
• College: Cumberland University 
• Height: 5’11
• Weight: 215 lb
• Twitter: coreyjohnson__
• Instagram: corey.johnson25

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2023 NFL Draft?

What makes me a top prospect in my position in the 2023 NFL Draft is my vision, patience, my IQ for the game, my encouragement and engagement with my offensive lineman, also my strength and ability to always make the first defender miss in open space.

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

I was first interested in football when I was five years old. Funny story, I remember my mother first signed me up for flag football at that age. My father quickly removed me from the team and put me in tackle football. He stated, “playing football does not consist of softness, playing this sport you will endure the complete physical concepts of this game.” I Thank my Dad every time for that decision he made.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

NFL teams will know that I’m humbled, I’m passionate about this game, my heart beats big for this sport. I’m a guy that you would love and need to have in the facility and locker room, I love to push and make those around me better because I know that will bring out the best in me. I also treat the janitors with the same respect as the owner and President of the organization. 

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

I would donate to children and adults with Retts syndrome. My auntie, who is 40 years old was diagnosed with Retts syndrome at birth.

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

The best advice I ever received was from my father, “There’s nothing wrong with being different.” 

Who was your childhood hero? 

My childhood hero was my great auntie, Annie Pearl. She nurtured and loved me as a young boy which helped and molded me into the man I am today. 

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school?

Ismail Abdul. Cumberland University DB

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

Rubbing styrofoam together

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

The loss of my cousin, still hard to deal with but knowing & believing he’s in a better place, I find comfort within that. 

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

My school is special to me because there is alot of people like me, underrated and passionate about the game. On and off the field as well, the atmosphere is filled with underdogs who is striven and destined for big things in life. 

What is your favorite snack food? 

P3 snacks Portable Protein Packs

What is the best part of football? 

Teamwork, brotherhood, hard work and effort. I can go on and on but those traits stands out the most to me.

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say? 

“If you want everyone and everything to be better, I’m the guy to make it happen.”

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be? 

Alvin Kamara, his patience and swiftness playing style is who I can easily compare my game to. 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

My cousin John Johnson Jr. (Deceased), To ask him serious questions about his life before his death. My Auntie Pearl (Deceased), To thank her for the endless amount of love she gave to me and my intermediate family. One of the founders of my illustrious fraternity, Dr. Oscar James Cooper. (Deceased) I would love to talk to him about his personality and the things he accomplished as a black man in this country. His character traits reminds me a lot of myself.