Johnson Balances Engineering And Offensive Line For The Vols

 Ryan Johnson could swing a hammer before he could walk so it's no surprise the Tennessee redshirt sophomore offensive lineman is considering entering the family business of building homes after his football career wraps up.

Johnson's parents own a home building business in Brentwood, Tenn., so he grew up around construction projects.

He is on track to earn his civil engineering degree in less than three years and has plans to pursue a master's degree.

"That's where I was leaning towards when I went into civil engineering," he said.

"I can look at a building and see the foundation. I can see plans and see how it is drawn out and say that's where the kitchen is. This is where your sink is going to be. We can put a table there. I can see it even when I'm looking at the studs. Even if there are no walls yet, I can still see the rooms and how they work. A lot of people can't do that because they haven't been around it. I've grown up around it. I'm used to it and I like it."

He also plays guitar – electric and acoustic – and jokes that "A little AC/DC in the dorm rooms never hurt anybody."

A member of the 2017 SEC Academic Honor Roll, Johnson has proven to be an all-around Volunteer, and football is where his versatility has really shined.

Johnson began last fall as a backup, but played in every game. He started the final four games of the season, switching between left and right guard and center, helping anchor a makeshift offensive line which sometimes featured walk-ons because of injuries.

This fall, Johnson is relying on his experience in construction and engineering to lay a steady foundation for the Vols on the offensive line.

More than anything else, Johnson loves the mental challenges playing football and offensive line bring his way.

"I love the thought process," Johnson said. "It's a chess game to me, it really is, it's a game but I enjoy the strategy behind it because I'm a civil engineer, so that's my thing, I want to analyze everything. I take my classroom skills from learning – when I'm looking at a building, analyzing a building, I take that to the football field and vice versa – the way that I study in school is the way that I study in football, if not study more in football than I do in school.

"Studying film, I watch it the same way as if I'm studying a math equation, and that may be scary to some people if they're looking at a calculus problem, but that's the same thing if somebody is looking at a football problem and doesn't understand it, so it goes both ways. I really enjoy that learning process."

Of course, the Brentwood, Tenn., native also enjoys the physical nature of the sport. He is looking forward to playing "smashmouth" football for the Vols this fall. 

 "As an offensive lineman, I enjoy getting first downs, getting touchdowns," he said, "but I definitely love getting dirty… being aggressive, putting people on their backs. Whatever it takes to get the job done."

Johnson has become a master of time management since football and civil engineering leave little free time. When classes start next week he will begin to juggle his studies and his sport once again, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

He has a plan and he follows it on the field and off. Sometimes that means giving up TV for a few days, or studying on the plane on the way back from a road trip.

"It's really important to me to get this education but also focus on football," Johnson said. "I think it's been a great balance, and it's been a lot of give and take. It's hard, but it's not something you can't do.

"I enjoy it."