A road not yet traveled

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

-- Proverbs 3: 5-6

Derrick Johnson tattooed this Bible passage on his left arm two summers ago, several months before his freshman year. It was to remind him of his past and serve as a guide in the future. Two years later, the sophomore Husky cornerback certainly has traversed a rocky path, one filled with glory and adversity.

It was last spring when Johnson was on top of the world. He had started three games as a true freshman and entered the 2001 season as one of the UW's top cornerbacks. He also received some postseason honors, as the Sporting News named him a second-team freshman all-American.

But on a spring afternoon in Husky Stadium, something terrible happened. Johnson and several teammates were participating in some workouts, preparing for the upcoming season. Linebacker Ben Mahdavi, who was beside Johnson, heard the sound that every athlete dreads.

"I just heard a pop," Mahdavi said, "and it was loud."

"I wasn't really sure what happened," Johnson said, "but I knew something was wrong."

As pain surged through Johnson's right foot and leg, he collapsed on the field. His dream season was finished before it began. He broke his first and second metatarsals (the bones on the top of the foot) and tore several ligaments in his foot. Doctors had to insert two screws to hold his foot together. He still keeps them in a plastic cup on his nightstand.

"It's a reminder of what I've had to do to get back and to not let it slip away," he said.

During rehabilitation, there were days he doubted himself, doubted if his foot could ever plant or support his weight. But it was the love of the game that kept Johnson from quitting.

"I've been playing the game since 7 and I'm afraid to let it go," he said. "When you love something this much, you just don't want to let it go."

If this were any regular tale, it would have a magical Hollywood ending: Jimmy Chitwood hitting the jumper at the buzzer, Roy Hobbs smashing the game-winning home run and Derrick Johnson returning to start for the Huskies. But Johnson is trying to overcome his own Sisyphean challenge.

For spring ball, he was listed as the top cornerback and played well in his first two weeks of practice, holding his own against the Pac-10's best duo of receivers, Reggie Williams and Paul Arnold. But as spring ball continued, and as more pressure was put on that fragile foot, the pain became almost intolerable. His right foot is now in a boot, forcing Johnson to wear a red jersey and watch practice from the sidelines.

"It's frustrating because I worked real hard to get back," he said. "I felt like I couldn't catch a break. At the same time it strengthens me by me being able to play through that pain."

The defense needs a healthy Johnson. As a freshman corner, he had 19 tackles and returned 23 kickoffs for 557 yards. Secondary coach Bobby Hauck is confident that Johnson can return to full strength by the season opener against Michigan. Hauck will need the corner to solidify a defensive backfield that gave up 474 passing yards to Texas in last year's Holiday Bowl. Johnson is projected to be the top corner along with junior Roc Alexander.

"[Johnson's] a good player. You just can't lose lots of good players and expect to be as good as you would've been. It's important for Derrick to come back and be ready to go," Hauck said.

Even though Johnson hasn't practiced this week, he plans to shed the red jersey for a real one in Saturday's spring game. He wants to test his skills and, more importantly, his foot.

"I'm full go for the spring game," he declared.

The journey continues.