Arizona football's 'family environment' drew Victory Johnson to Wildcats

When the Cal Poly transfer defensive end took an official visit to Arizona, he was shown around the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility at Casino Del Sol Stadium, the UA campus and the Tucson community. 

With several coaches and players of the UA football team, Johnson attended Arizona men's basketball's win over Iowa State at McKale Center to clinch the Big 12 regular-season championship earlier this month. 

"I had a great visit," Johnson said. "Getting to know the coaching staff and everybody from (head coach Brent Brennan), to (defensive line coach Joe Salave'a), (assistant defensive line coach Ronnie Palmer) and (defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales).

"It was a true pleasure getting to know those coaches and see the plan they have for me. They have a great plan. Their defense and what they want, I fit perfectly into it. The environment they created, it's what I value and what my family values."  

The day after leaving Tucson, Johnson signed with the Wildcats over Washington and Mississippi State and became Arizona's first addition to the defensive line via the transfer portal.  

"When I was there, I felt like I could succeed in this environment," Johnson added. "It's not only a place I could succeed at, but I'll be happy going to work every day and being around the guys. That strength staff and the nutrition program there, it's fantastic. It seems like everyone is bought in on the same vision that I have, which is get to the NFL. Before that, we gotta win some games for Tucson."

The 6-4, 250-pound Johnson is a former three-star recruit from San Diego and started his career at Colorado in 2023 following a productive career at Cathedral Catholic.

Johnson transferred to Cal Poly and logged 26 tackles, three sacks, two pass deflections and an interception this past season. Johnson was named a second-team All-Big Sky selection this past season. 

Entering its second season under Salave'a, the defensive line wasn't a position of focus for Arizona in the transfer portal. 

Johnson, who is joining the Wildcats for the spring practice period that starts next week, recently joined "Spears & Ali" on ESPN Tucson to talk about his football career, the story behind his unique first name and his path to Tucson. 

What was your upbringing like in San Diego?

A: "Life in San Diego is pretty good. It's a beautiful city. I bounced around San Diego a decent amount growing up. I played three sports: football, basketball and baseball. I thought I was going to be a MLB player. I always wanted to be a MLB player and get drafted out of high school, but I realized after my sophomore year, football was the right decision. (Arizona State) offered me after my three-game season during Covid, so that solidified it for me. I played rugby my junior year, which was an awesome experience and helped me with football. That was my upbringing with sports." 

What is the story behind your first name? 

A: "I'll back up, because my older brother's name is Champion Johnson. ... When my older brother was born, the NCAA wrestling tournament was happening. Right before my brother was born, someone won the tournament and heard someone call him 'Champion.' My dad went to my mom and said, 'We have to name this baby Champion.'

"Then my brother was born, and he was 12 pounds — a massive baby. A champ of a baby, if you will. They named him Champion, and I was next after that, so they named me Victory. My parents are big on faith, so they understand and I understand the power of words.

"If you call someone Champion and Victory every day, the odds of them winning in life increase exponentially. That was a factor, too." 

If you have children in the future, are you going to maintain the trend? How about Winner Johnson? 

A: "I've thought about it. Maybe Trophy? It'll probably be up to my future wife. I think she needs a vote for that decision."

How would you summarize your college football journey up to this point? 

A: "I've definitely had a unique journey. I graduated high school a semester early, so I was an early enrollee in Boulder. When I came into the program, I was an inside linebacker. After gaining some weight and developing as a young college player, the staff and I had some conversations to make me a full-time edge and become a pass rusher and play defensive line. ... I tore my labrum early in the season, so I missed my whole freshman year.

"During the recovery process is when I left to Cal Poly. At the time, I felt like it was the best decision to maximize my time and my future. It ended up paying off well. I played under (Cal Poly defensive line coach Will Plemons) and backing up (New England Patriots linebacker) Elijah Ponder, who is a 53-man undrafted guy who ended up playing for the Patriots and had a fantastic rookie season. Learning under Ponder was fantastic. They did a fantastic job at Cal Poly. They develop guys." 

What was it like playing at Colorado when the Buffaloes captured so much national attention under head coach Deion Sanders in 2023?

A: "I felt like we were on top of the world when we beat TCU and the bottom of the world when we lost to Stanford. It was a very interesting season. I learned more than ever about college football during that time. It was different for me, because I was hurt for most of the time. I thought it was an awesome experience to see the celebrities that would come into the locker room. I enjoyed it. I thought what Coach Prime was doing was a cool ordeal." 

What stands out to you about what Brennan has built in the last year or so? Additionally, what are you expecting when you play for Salave'a, who's a former UA defensive lineman and renowned defensive line coach?

A: "Those are two massive factors in my decision. Coach Brennan has done a phenomenal job of hiring genuine people who want the betterment of the program. I know there were other opportunities for the staff, so for everyone to stay together and come back, it's extremely encouraging.

"The culture, it was one of those things that was apparent. Having the experiences that I've had in college football, I have a great lens for what matters in a program and what I'm really looking for. I can tell when someone is selling a dream. None of that was happening (at Arizona). Coach Brennan has established a family environment and a family-oriented culture that is max effort, max intent, but having fun. 

"Coach Salave'a is not only a fantastic coach, he was a fantastic player during his time. He's a U of A alum, which says everything to me. If you go to a school and you graduate, there's a certain level of pride you have with that. Coach is pouring his heart into this program and I know he's a part of the culture that wants to win and wants kids to succeed."