University of Nevada Las Vegas

UNLV: A dynamic defender who is expected to push to start at cornerback after missing most of last season with an injury suffered on the first day of fall camp … The first player in UNLV football history to wear the number zero … Named 2023 Preseason Third Team All-Mountain West by Mountain West Wire ... A member of the UNLV Dean’s Honor List in fall 2020 and spring 2021 … A three-time member of the Academic All-Mountain West Team (2020-22) and a 2021 MW Scholar-Athlete.

2022: Appeared in three games, including two starts … Finished with eight total tackles … Returned in Week 10 vs. SDSU and posted four tackles, grabbed an interception and another pass breakup … Started vs. Fresno State and Hawai’i before missing the finale vs. UNR.

2021: Played in 11 games, including making his first two collegiate starts (ISU and UTSA) … Tied for the team lead with three interceptions … Finished with 25 total tackles and two pass breakups … Picked up a fumble and returned it four yards in the victory at New Mexico in Game Nine … Picked off two passes to help the Rebels down Hawai’i in Game 10 and grabbed his third pick just one week later vs. San Diego State … Turned in a career-high four tackles vs. UNR in Game Eight and SDSU in Game 11.

2020: Earned his first letter as a Rebel by playing in four games … Totaled seven tackles, including assisting on a TFL.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2020 graduate of Cypress Falls HS in Houston … Rated as a three-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN … Ranked the No. 123 safety prospect in the nation by ESPN and No. 151 by 247Sports … A three-year letterwinner under coach Chris Brister … As a senior in 2019, helped the Eagles to an 11-2 record and a bi-district championship … Played safety, corner and wide receiver … Recorded 11 interceptions, 86 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss over his three-year career … As a two-way player during his senior season in 2019, made 44 catches for 709 yards and eight touchdowns to go along with four interceptions on the defensive side of the ball … Earned a unanimous all-district selection as both a defensive back and a wide receiver … Also competed in track and field for Cy Falls.

PERSONAL: Ricky Cornelius Johnson III was born in Houston … The son of Ricky Johnson Jr. and Natasha Johnson … Majoring in communication studies.