Buchholz QB Trace Johnson following in the footsteps of his Florida Gator legend father

Doug Johnson struggled for the word to describe the emotions he’s felt on Friday nights for the last two months.

Finally, the 45-year-old landed on “surreal.”

It’s not his legendary Buchholz and Florida football career that gives Johnson that sensation.

Instead, this season a new No. 12 for Buchholz has excited spectators at Citizens Field in the same way Doug did 30 years ago:

His own flesh and blood, Trace Johnson.

“When you’re watching a No. 12 that is your son, playing in the same uniform on the same field, it’s pretty surreal,” Johnson said.

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The shoes to fill

Trace, a sophomore, took over the starting job in the spring with massive shoes to fill.

The Bobcats starter from 2020-22, Creed Whittemore, brought BHS to back-to-back state semifinals and won Mr. Florida Football last season.

How has Johnson handled the dilemma one might ask? By leading the Bobcats to an 8-0 start and a No. 1 ranking in Class 4S.

His crown jewel this season came in a 44-7 demolition of rival and 4S contender Bartram Trail. Johnson threw for 378 yards and three TDs on 20-23 passing.

That performance surprised many, but not Doug.

“I told Trace the morning of the game that if they didn’t beat Bartram by three touchdowns, I’d be disappointed because I broke down the tape of Bartram,” Doug said.

Doug takes a backseat role

Although Doug and Trace’s career paths appear similar for now, both acknowledged that football was never pushed upon Trace at a young age.

“I’ve been throwing a football forever, and when you are six or seven years old, you don’t understand what it means to play at the University of Florida or in the NFL,” Trace said. “If he (Doug) did or didn’t play it, it didn’t matter. I always loved this game.”

Doug noted his sole ambition with Trace was to not coach him, something he’s lived up to.

He holds no coaching role on the Buchholz staff. He watches games in the stands with Earnest Graham, another Gator legend and father of Buchholz linebacker, and five-star Florida commit, Myles Graham.

“Once his middle school days were over, I knew that was my last days of coaching him just for the fact that I wanted to be his dad, and he gets enough coaching that I thought it was important that we be detached on the field,” Doug said.

Trace himself said he prefers this setup since he can speak to his dad after practice. Doug added that he and the coaching staff speak often, with Doug serving as the “eyes in the sky.”

Trace admitted sometimes Doug’s advice can rub him the wrong way until he returns to his senses.

“Thirty minutes to an hour later, I’ll come out,” Trace said. “He did it, so why would I not listen to him? The dumb thing would be to not listen to him.”

Buchholz’s offensive coaching staff leaves Trace in good hands.

Buchholz’s OC – Paul Marin – descends from the coaching line of the late legendary coach Mike Leach and his air-raid offense.

“That’s what I like to do, I like to throw the football around,” Trace said. “The numbers are going to be there, and it should help a lot for me to reach my goal of playing in college and going to the NFL.”

Trace’s maturity level as a sophomore has awed players and coaches, alike. Both agreed Doug’s presence contributed to that.

“Trace being around the guys he’s been around with me, former NFL guys, he’s super comfortable in his own skin,” Doug said. “His football IQ is going to be higher than 99 percent of guys behind center because of what he’s absorbed from me.”

The sophomore believes his high maturation has gained respect from seniors like Myles Graham and the offensive linemen.

“They view me as their guy,” Trace said. “We’re 15 years old, but handling situations on the field, we do a great job of that.”

Trace embraces the pressure

Doug insisted he won’t pressure Trace to continue his career into college. He acknowledged the drive must come from him directly.

“We say it around here all the time, I can’t want it more than you,” Doug said. “I’ve done it already. I don’t need to live through your life.”

As Trace enters his junior and senior year, pressure will grow for him to attend Florida like his father. How those expectations don’t phase Trace inspires Doug.

“I’m sure he hears it all the time, ‘your dad did this,’ and that’s a hard thing for a kid to hear,” Doug said. “When I played, I didn’t have to live up to something. He’s embraced it and looked at it as an asset.”

Trace proclaimed he’s ignored those calls to go to Florida, for now.

“I still got another two and a half years with a bunch of really good athletes,” Trace said. “When I start getting offers, I get to make my own decision, and I know he’ll support me regardless.”

Trace and the Bobcats continue their season this Friday at Fleming Island before the postseason begins November 11.

Noah Ram covers Gainesville-area high school sports and University of Florida athletics for The Gainesville Sun. Contact him at Nram@gannett.com and follow him @Noah_ram1 on Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Trace Johnson continues legacy of Florida Gators legend Doug Johnson