INTRODUCTION: Trey Johnson's initial exposure to football came sitting on the couch with his dad watching the New England Patriots play. The Rochester first-year's inspiration in football and basketball came from his camp counselors growing up. He is a counselor when time permits and he wants to impart that passion to youngsters.

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How early did you start playing football?
I started playing football as soon as I could get the chance, around the age 6 or 7
 
What made it attractive?
 I fell in love with the game when I used to sit down and watch Patriots games with my dad every week from a young age. I couldn't wait to go out there and play myself when I had the chance. When I was able to get on the field it gave me such a thrill, especially a young kid with a ton of energy to get rid of. I started to love it ever since I stepped onto the field.
 
In addition to football at Souhegan HS in New Hampshire, you also competed in basketball. Those two sports run up against each other, don't they?
They definitely did, near the end of the football season and beginning of basketball season, I had to miss a lot of basketball workouts and it definitely took me a little bit to transition as my basketball skills were a little rusty at the start of each season as I would focus all my attention towards football during the fall. But luckily football kept me in shape for when it was basketball season it didn't take too long for my basketball skills to come back to me. My summers were usually filled, trying to attend most of the football, and basketball workouts that I could so I was usually always busy.
 
How did you work with your two head coaches to devise a plan that enabled you to play with each one?
 I knew that football was the sport that I wanted to pursue after high school so my basketball coach was understanding with my circumstances. Though he couldn't wait for me to get on the basketball court as I was a crucial part of the team being the starting point guard and one of the better defensive players. As soon as the football season ended I transitioned to basketball almost immediately with almost no break and started attending the workouts. I only had a few weeks of practice until our first basketball game rolled around.
 
When you started planning to play sports in college, was football the runaway top choice? Why?
Playing football for most of my life it just came natural to me. Though I love basketball, I was naturally better at football. On top of that, I love the brotherhood and the camaraderie that football brings with it. At the end of the day it was a pretty simple choice that football was the sport that I wanted to pursue after high school. 
 
When you are home, do you work with any youth programs – coaching, counseling, serving as an official or a timer? What do you like about doing that?
 I haven't been able to recently due to COVID-19, but in the past I was a basketball camp counselor at a local camp at my high school for younger kids. I really enjoyed being a counselor as when I was younger I remember how much I looked up to counselors and older athletes and how they inspired me in aspects of my life. To be able to be in their position and to help inspire and encourage kids is something that I love to do.
  
What led you to the University of Rochester?
 A combination of being able to pursue my passion for the game of football along with getting a high quality education while doing so. Academically speaking, I liked the open curriculum that Rochester has as I'm able to explore my passions and interests taking classes that I find interesting. Football wise, I was blown away by the athletic facilities and how much they put into their athletes here, along with how dedicated the coaching staff is to turn into a winning program, along with how much they care about their players.
 
You are majoring in Political Science. What drove your interest to that field?
I've always been interested in American politics and learning why our leaders make certain decisions. Interested in learning about past political decisions and the effects that they play to this day. I don't know exactly what I want to do with my major but I find politics to be very important. 
 
As a first-year, are you taking any introductory courses in the PoliSci curriculum?
  In my first semester, I took "intro to American Politics" and this spring semester I'm taking "intro to international relations".
 
Which courses appeal to you as a sophomore for 2021-22?
 I haven't had too much time to look at courses for sophomore year but one that stands out is "incarceration nation," as I am interested to learn about the United States prison system.
 
Will you join some campus groups tied to your major?
 I don't know yet exactly if I will, due to how time consuming football is, but I am not closed to the idea of joining one. 
 
Trying to balance football with school. When do you have time for yourself?
It can sometimes be hard to balance between football, class work, and free time but I try to build time in the day to give myself a break mentally. Whether that is carving out 30 minutes to an hour or two listening to music, watching a show, browsing my social media. I definitely need time in my day just to be able to relax to be able to catch my breath so I will not get too burnt out.