Linebacker Untareo Johnson was a part of two state and national championships with the East Mississippi Community College football program, but he never forgot his roots.
Johnson, a Jonestown native and 2016 Coahoma Early College High School graduate, came home to sign his letter of intent on Thursday to continue his college career at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Fla., next season.
“I chose Bethune-Cookman because I felt it was a good opportunity for me to get out of Mississippi and pursue my dreams of trying to get on an NFL roster or becoming an athletic trainer,” Johnson said. “They do a good job of getting people out in terms of pro teams.”
Johnson said EMCC and Bethune-Cookman both run 4-3, 4-2-5, Cover 2 and Cover 3 defenses.
Johnson was injured as a freshman with the Lions when they won a state championship.
After taking a medical redshirt, he won two state and two national championships during his years on the field with EMCC.
Johnson had 74 tackles, nine tackles for a loss and two sacks in 2018. He had one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
EMCC defeated Copiah-Lincoln Community College 31-7 and Jones County Junior College 19-14 for the state championship in 2018. The Lions defeated Garden City Community College in Pittsburgh, Kan., 10-9, for the national championship.
JCJC attempted a fake punt on fourth down and Johnson tackled the player to end the possession on downs.
“My best game probably came against Coahoma (Community College),” he said. “Coahoma came down there and I had 12 tackles against Coahoma that night.”
