Feather River College is a two-year school in Quincy, Calif., about 80 miles northwest of Reno, Nevada. Its enrollment is about 1,500.
One of its newer students/football players will be Calvin Johnson, who’s about to graduate from Adams City High School. Johnson made his choice public on Facebook.
“I chose Feather River because it felt like home, it’s a small community and it was the only school to give me a shot to play up in the next level,” he said. “I haven’t meet all the coaches, but I did meet coach (Andrew) Sparano (the offensive coordinator). He showed me how the campus and people love it there, and I just saw myself being there.”
Johnson drew interest from other schools, but Feather River was the only one to maintain contact.
“That’s why I chose them, because they made me feel like I was already part of the team,” Johnson said.
Adams City was 4-6 this season. Johnson wants to study sports management in school. He’s eyeing a career in professional football before joining the business world.
He called the recruiting process during a pandemic “a little strange.”
“Because I was worried that some games would get canceled and I wouldn’t be able to play my senior season to get more film to send out to colleges,” he said. “So, I was more worried about getting to play than anything.”
Johnson said the distance from home was a factor in his choice.
“I would be leaving my friends and family to go chase my dream, and I want them to be there every step,” he said. “But I know they would all still support me, no matter what.”
Johnson is ready for the challenge .. sort of.
“I am super nervous cause it’s gonna be my first time away from my family, and I’m gonna be basically on my own,” he said. “But I’m also super excited because I get to play football against even more competition and players from different states.”
“I want to thank everyone from family, friends, my school, my Eagles family and all my coaches, especially the people who said I wouldn’t make it,” he concluded. “I thank them all. But other than that? FRC? Let’s get it rocking.”