Where Are They Now: DJ Johnson

MACON, Ga. - We all know about the great accomplishments that Mercer student-athletes have achieved during their time as a Bear, but what are they up to after they graduate? Today, we take a look inside the life of former Mercer baseball player DJ Johnson.

Johnson was a member of the Bears from 2011-15. During his time in the program, he was named to the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award Watch List during his freshman year on campus. After appearing in 49 games, making 47 starts, he hit .263 and drove in 21 runs. Following the season, he was named to the A-Sun All-Freshman Team.

Following his two years of playing and pitching, Johnson moved to the mound for his final two seasons. During his junior season, Johnson recorded career-highs in starts (14), innings pitched (85.1), wins (7), and strikeouts (67). Over his senior season, he made 24 appearances on the mound making nine starts have pitching 55 innings.

Over his career at Mercer, Johnson made 100 starts as a position player and 24 starts on the mound. He compiled 103 hits, with 19 being extra-base knocks, and had a career batting average of .282. On the bump, Johnson made 68 appearances and pitched 187.2 innings. He went 10-8 in his career with 169 strikeouts and recorded a 3.98 ERA.

Why did you choose Mercer?
I admired the constant improvement of the team year after year. The coaches stayed in contact throughout the whole duration of the process. They even came to my basketball games. They made me feel like I was one of them before I even signed with the school. It is great coaching staff.

What is your fondest athletic memory at Mercer?
Off the field: When I graduated from Mercer.
On the field: Our first conference championship and my first home game against Georgia.

Who had the biggest influence on you during your athletic career at Mercer and how?
Coach Gibson and Coach Shade. They made me grow up, on and off the field. They made sure that I was doing everything that was needed to grow as a player and as a person. I appreciate them for everything they did for me.

What is the most valuable thing you gained or learned from your time at Mercer?
Hard work and buying in. Everyone has a role to play and needs to be held accountable for their actions. As a player and in the real world. I preach the same thing to my players today.

What advice would you give to current members of the team you played for?
Don't take the game and the college experience for granted. It flies by. Work hard every day and make sure you're out working the next guy.

Who was your favorite professor and why?
Dr. Senasi. She was a very fun and energetic person to be around. She made class interesting, and she always spoke to me and asked me about baseball outside of class. She's amazing and she's probably the only professor that called me Dabias on campus.

Where do you live now?
I live in my hometown of Adel, Ga.

What is your occupation?
I'm a coach. I was previous at Lanier County (Lakeland, Ga.). This year I'll be back in Cook County (Adel, Ga.) helping out with the baseball programs.

What have you done since graduating? (Life, Career, etc.)
Since I graduated, I got married and my wife and I have had our 2 little boys. I've been coaching in the school systems, and I've also started my own travel ball teams (Southern Tribe).

Where do you see yourself in the future with your career?
My goal is to eventually be a head coach at a high school. I also want to make sure that the boys are becoming amazing young men. I want to be the best role model that I can be while also doing everything in my power to get them to the next level of baseball.

What are your goals and aspirations for the coming years?
My goals are to build the brand of my travel ball team, get my players into college and continue to be a great husband, dad, role model, and follower of Christ.

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