Cal Football: Brett Johnson Calls His Return `Exciting, Not Overwhelming'

The junior defensive lineman played last week for the the first time in 1,001 days due to back-to-back major injuries.

Cal defensive lineman Brett Johnson called his return to football last Saturday “definitely exciting, not overwhelming.”

Johnson was on the field for Cal’s 58-21 win at North Texas — his first game in 1,001 days after missing the two previous seasons in full due to hip and knee injuries.

"It was a lot of fun, a lot of excitement, a lot of nerves, getting back into it. First time playing in a long time,” Johnson said. “I was eager to get out there and I just really enjoyed it.”

Most importantly, Johnson came out of the game intact with nothing more than usual post-game soreness.

“It’s a football game, so you’d expect that,” he said. “But I felt pretty good.”

A fifth-year junior from Phoenix, Johnson emerged as a potential NFL prospect after strong seasons as a freshman and sophomore in 2019 and ’20. His return this season is greeted by enthusiasm from his coaches.

Defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon and defensive line coach Andrew Browning exchanged smiles Saturday as Johnson took the field for warmups, but their welcome message to him was subdued.

“Brett is not the most vocal guy so we’re not going to sit there and hug it out, reminisce about what he’s been through,” said Sirmon, who called the game “a great first step of getting him back acclimated and on the field every game.”

Johnson was on a snap count at North Texas, limited to about 17 plays. How long he’s on the field Saturday night vs. Auburn will depend partly on how he’s feeling.

“We have all our D-linemen on a good rotation,” Johnson said. “I’m assuming that will be the same plan for this game.”

Sirmon confirmed that Johnson’s activity level going forward will depend on his tolerance, suggesting it’s likely to be “a little more day to day, week to week.”

Johnson had no tackles during his brief stint on Saturday but did draw a pair of holding penalties against North Texas, according to Sirmon.

Asked about defending Auburn’s offense that features a two-quarterback system, Johnson said the D-line’s primary concern is dealing with an offensive line averages 317 pounds, with all five starters at 307 pounds or more.

"Just bigger bodies we have to fight up front. It’s not anything that we’re scared of by any means,” he said. As far as I’m concerned, that’s the biggest thing we have to worry about.”

Johnson said he’s feeling good about the prospects of the Bears’ defense, which shut out North Texas in the second half last week.

“Every challenge is an opportunity to prove ourselves,” he said. “In terms of our defense, we’ll keep putting on a good show with it. It’s all just an opportunity to show who we are.”

Cover photo of Cal defensive lineman Brett Johnson

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo