AUBURN, Ala. – Jaunta'vius Johnson has seen it all. Now in his fourth year at Auburn, he's been around for all of the ups and downs in recent years. He was a part of last year's team that won the SEC West and played in a New Year's Six bowl, and though this this year's team won't be able to replicate those accomplishments, the veteran defensive tackle insists that there is still something special about this group.
"Great chemistry," Johnson said. "Team focus. We all have one main goal. We're all on the same page. We know that we have to bring energy and focus every day."
Johnson was a three-star recruit coming out of high school, and as a product of Alabama, it was no surprise that he was recruited by both Auburn and Alabama. In the end, though, he chose Auburn because it "just felt like home."
Still, that first year on campus was rough for Johnson. He turned in the small town of Lincoln for a much bigger community in Auburn, and it didn't help that he redshirted.
"When I first tried it, I didn't think that this was the right place," Johnson said. "But over time, I know that I chose right."
Coming off that redshirt year, the 6-foot-2, 326-pound defensive tackle expected to have a role on the defense as a redshirt freshman. However, he missed the entire 2016 season after tearing his ACL. It was the second time in three years that he tore his ACL, and between that and his shoulder, he's had four surgeries since high school.
But Johnson has found triumph in recovering from his injuries.
"The memories of me coming back from surgeries and being able to compete with those guys and help the team is my most remarkable moment at Auburn," he said.
Coming back from injury is never easy, but to help him through those times of doubt and adversity, Johnson credits the support that he received from his coaches, the Auburn fans and most importantly, his teammates.
"Donatavius Russell and Andrew Williams are able to support me because we've been here so long together," Johnson said. "We understand and know how to talk to each other."
Johnson hasn't played as much as players like Russell or Williams – the only game action he's seen this year was against Alabama State – but he's just as much a part of the Auburn defensive line as anybody on it. He's been there every step of the way as they have transformed into one of the top defensive lines in college football.
"It's the bond we have with each other," Johnson said. "As a defense, we went through changes, but we finally found that structured peace that made us gather everything together to make it great."
Johnson might only have a few more games left in his playing career, but that doesn't mean his football days are over. He plans to graduate in December with a degree in interdisciplinary studies, and then he wants to coach football and teach adult education.
As he bids farewell to Auburn, he has one message to the Auburn Family.
"Thank you, I appreciate all the love."
Tyler Carter is a student assistant in Auburn athletic communications.
