He was born on February 6, 1988 in Bellflower. He stands six feet one and weighs 210 pounds. He attended highschool at Dorsey.

During his junior year in 2004, he made Cal-Hi Sports All-State third team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass first team, All-L.A. City MVP, Los Angeles Times All-Star and Los Angeles times All-Central City MVP...He rushed for 1,879 yards with 18 Touch Downs and posted 25 tackles and 3 interceptions and he was also a Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass third team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomore, All-L.A. City and Los Angeles Times All-Central City selection as a sophomore in 2003 when he ran for 1,701 yards and 18 TDs...In his 4-year career, he set the L.A. City rushing record with 5,777 yards and 58 Touch Downs...He also ran track at Dorsey, where his father, Stan Johnson, has been a long-time assistant track coach.

In the 2005 season, he was named a Parade All-American, Super Prep Elite 50, Prep Star Dream Team, ESPN 150, Super Prep All-American, Prep Star All-American, USA Today All-USA second team, EA Sports All-American second team, U.S. Army All-American Game participant, Super Prep All-Farwest Offensive MVP, Prep Star All-Western, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team, Orange County Register Fab 15 first team, Tacoma News-Tribune Western 100, Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team, All-L.A. City Co-MVP and Los Angeles Times All-Star honoree as a senior running back and defensive back at Dorsey High in Los Angeles. He also ran for 2,197 yards on 247 carries with 22 Touch Downs.