Story by Gage Johnson
gjohnson17@murraystate.edu
Senior writer
The Netflix original series Last Chance U has become a popular outlet for troubled college players looking for their next big shot, and transfer junior defensive back Dior Johnson has done just that.
Last Chance U aired the first episode of its hit series in 2016. The show follows college football programs nationwide that have obtained players with past problems, such as injuries and other issues on and off the field.
The show started out at East Mississippi Community College, and later moved on to Independence Community College in Kansas, where Johnson first appeared on the show to make his television debut.
Johnson had just left Minnesota University when his talents led to him being recruited by Independence Community College, and being put under the spotlight on national television.
“When I was leaving Minnesota, I was recruited by a guy named Jason Martin, a defensive coordinator at Independence,” Johnson said. “He said it was a great chance to get back to the FBS and mentioned that Last Chance U may be doing a series there.”
Johnson said there were a few schools as possible hosts for the new season, but ultimately Last Chance U chose Independence Community College for the story possibilities at Independence. It was a humbling experience for the new Racer and being on the show prepared him for the next step in his football career.
“I don’t know how to explain it,” Johnson said. “When I first got there, I didn’t think it was going to be a big thing. After I ended up watching I saw how big it got across social media and it was just a great experience.”
Shortly after the show aired, Johnson accomplished the goal of Last Chance U, in moving on to Division 1 football, and decided to attend Murray State to play football in the winter of 2017.
Had To Climb My Way Back Up & Overcome The Odds. Stood 10 Toes When Most Didn’t Want To Give Me A Shot But I Kept Faith. I Couldn’t Be More Appreciative Of The People Here At This University. I Will Be Continuing My Education & Football Career At Murray State University?#AAO pic.twitter.com/862MtUHbbt
— Dior Johnson? (@Dior_J9) December 19, 2017
It was a life-changing experience or Johnson, and he is prepared to take the next step at Murray State.
“It definitely humbled me,” Johnson said. “Being in the middle of nowhere in Independence, Kansas, it was just going to school. It made me get back to what I needed to be on. I had a great time. I made great friends and I got back to a school that gave me an opportunity to do what I wanted to do.”