By Bhriana Smith | Posted October 15, 2015
From Staten Island, NY, Qaudir Ishmael Johnson started playing football at the age of five, where he played for the Staten Island Boys, a football youth league. At the age of 10, Johnson started playing for the Staten Island Hurricanes. On that team Johnson had a myriad of positions, including running back (rb), strong safety (ss), and wide receiver (wr). He played for the Hurricanes until he began high school.
Johnson attended Port Richmond High School, located on the north shore of Staten Island. He started his high school football career on the Red Raiders junior varsity football team. Johnson played cornerback (cb) and wide receiver (wr) –much like his in youth days. During his junior year, Johnson was bumped up to varsity. His team went on to win a city championship with a perfect record of 13-0 in 2009.
Kean University vs. Frostburg State University, 2015.
When his senior year hit, Johnson –much like many athletes with high aspirations –had a collegiate team that he wanted more than anything to be a part of: the University of Miami Hurricanes. That school, however, did not offer him a position. The Divison III schools that did offer him a position were Albright College located in Reading, PA, University of Mount Union, located in Alliance, OH and our very own, Kean University. With his mind telling him to choose Mount Union, Johnson selected Albright College, primarily because of its location.
“Albright was far enough for me to gain independence, but close enough that if I needed to go home, I could,” said Johnson during an interview.
Johnson began his collegiate football career with the Albright Lions in the fall of 2010, where he played as wide receiver for two years. In the fall of 2013, Johnson decided to transfer to Kean University, and has become a very well-known Cougar.
Kean vs Christopher Newport University, 2015.
So far at Kean, Johnson stats consists of 45 catches, 550 yards, and 3 touchdowns. The Cougars is also 4-1 this season, and 3-1 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).
“I hope we win the conference and a championship,” said Johnson. “I know we can do it.”
Qaudir Johnson (left) getting his teammates (right) pumped before a game. Kean vs Bridgewater State, 2015.
Johnson’s favorite team is the San Diego Chargers. While his favorite team is across the country, his favorite player is close to home –and his heart. Johnson’s brother Zamel Johnson, a former Temple alum, is Johnson’s favorite player. Currently his brother coaches the wide receivers at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY. He and his brother both played for the Staten Island Hurricane’s in their youth. Today, they are both in the youth leagues “Hall of Canes”, a honorable mention for the former youth players who are now in college or the NFL, like Dominique Easley, who now plays for the New England Patriots.
As far as a future in NFL goes, Johnson is very optimistic. He would like to one day be a wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers. If that doesn’t pan out, he plans on being a coach for wide receivers.
“I want to coach offense,” said Johnson. “It doesn’t have to be college. It can be a little league team. I just love being around the sport.”
The Tower 