Brothers Since Back in the Day
By David Villavicencio
HurricaneSports.com
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Miami football is a family and Hurricanes football players are members of a unique brotherhood that spans decades.
But for seniors Jaquan Johnson and Sheldrick Redwine, the bond runs much deeper than most. Growing up in the Richmond Heights area of Miami, Johnson and Redwine were two of the brightest stars shining for their local park football program.
“Me and Redwine, we played at the same park for the Richmond Giants and we grew up in the same neighborhood,” Johnson said. “We just didn’t go to the same middle school, but we’ve known each other from a while back. Redwine was on a lighter pound than I was, but you knew all the best players in the park. I heard Redwine’s name after every game about being one of the hardest hitters at the park. I knew Redwine from growing up.”
The duo finally paired up as teammates in high school, sparking the start of a long-lasting friendship while starring for Miami Killian High School.
“You never have to worry when we are with each other,” Johnson said. “Even just growing up, it’s the same type of thing. We weren’t as close as we are now, but we always had each other’s back. It takes a village to raise someone and he was part of that village for me just like I was for him.”
Johnson was a four-time all county selection at safety for the Cougars and was selected to play in the US Army All-American Bowl before heading to Miami to further his education and football career.
Redwine starred at cornerback for Killian and appeared to be headed to Louisville after his senior year, but a visit to Miami just before National Signing Day ended with a scholarship offer to join Johnson and the Hurricanes in Coral Gables.
“God puts people in your life and we actually took the same path to get where we are,” Johnson said. “We had to overcome the same type of circumstances, go to the same high school and same coaching and we both made it to the University of Miami and we are going through it now. He’s my roommate now at the college level. Everything is meant for a reason.”
Their friendship grows stronger every day and has branched out to the point where their lives are intertwined beyond the football field.
“Being around each other so much, we know everything about each other,” Redwine said. “It’s all out on the table with us. There isn’t really anything that we don’t know about each other. We’re friends, our girlfriends are friends, we are roommates. It seems like everything we have is all connected.”
The connections and similarities between Redwine and Johnson are nearly endless. Both grew up in the same neighborhood, played for the same park, starred together at the same high school and became standouts at the University of Miami.
“We actually have the same birthday, too,” Redwine said. “It’s crazy all of the stuff that has come together with us. I know he has my back on the field and I know I have his. It’s just fun being out there together.”
The duo arrived at Miami ahead of the 2015 season and both were contributors on special teams, as well as in reserve duty on defense. Their roles grew as sophomores and each played meaningful snaps for the Canes on defense in 2016.
“We came in as part of the same class and our class was really tight all around,” Redwine said. “Obviously, we were close before, but our class was very tight and we were part of that and as time progressed and we both started playing a lot that helped with our chemistry.”
Johnson entered 2017 as Miami’s most experienced returning safety, while Redwine was facing the challenge of moving to safety after working at cornerback in his first 24 games as a Hurricane. Naturally, Johnson helped his friend and teammate learn the nuances of his new position.
“Coming from cornerback to safety and seeing a familiar face in the safety room probably gave him some comfort,” Johnson said. “Then with me being his roommate, we were able to talk about how coach [Ephraim] Banda likes to do things and go over the playbook together and what checks we will be making as safeties. I think that helped make it an easy transition for Redwine.”
The two spent the entire spring pushing each other, with Johnson cementing his status as a starter and Redwine climbing the depth chart. After an impressive fall camp, both were set to form Miami’s starting safety tandem as juniors.
“We both help each other and push each other,” Redwine said. “It’s a daily competition, even going back to Killian, the DBs always do competition drills. Everything is designed to make each other better and we are bringing that here. We are always pushing each other and going hard to make each other better.”
Johnson went on to earn Second Team All-America honors after an incredible junior season in which he led Miami with 96 tackles, four interceptions, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. His 2017 success has led to well-deserved Preseason All-America accolades from the Associated Press, as well as being named to the watch lists for the Bednarik Award, Thorpe Award and Nagurski Trophy. It also has motivated Redwine to try and have a breakout senior season in 2018.
“I have a lot of confidence in myself,” Redwine said. “I know what I am able to do and I’m excited to show it. It’s great that he was able to have such a great season last year and set himself up for all this recognition going into this season. Now’s it’s time for me to take the next step and make a name for myself and prove that I’m not a second-tier guy. We both can push and compete at the top.”
The 6-foot-1, 205 lb., Redwine was blessed with great speed and athleticism, while Johnson, who measures in at 5-foot-11 and 195 lbs., is known as a ferocious hitter with outstanding instincts.
“He knows I’m probably a little bit more athletic and faster, but he’s an excellent tackler, a sure tackler and he’s tough,” Redwine said. “We both have our strengths and weaknesses, but everything seems to compliment each other really well.”
“For me and Redwine, we both can do the same type of things, but we both have things we could work on,” Johnson said. “That’s why we are always pushing each other and motivating each other to work and get better.”
While both players have let their play on the field speak for itself, they also know they need to be more vocal off the field as leaders if they want to accomplish all of their goals in 2018.
“We just have to take the next step in our game and bring leadership to the team; not just the DBs or even the defense, but even offensive guys, too,” Redwine said. “We want to make sure our leadership helps bring everybody together so we can have a great season.”
The duo of Johnson and Redwine has already accomplished a lot at Miami, but they still have plenty left to do and they are excited to be able to help one another reach their goals together.
“It means everything to us to get to play one more year together,” Johnson said. “That’s why we came back. We want to get our degrees and win a national championship. We believe that we can do it and the team believes that we can do it. Me and Redwine have been talking about it all the time. The bond is there and we are sticking with each other and looking forward to our senior year.”
