Tri-sport athletes aren’t uncommon in the world of Texas high school sports, and neither is a speedy track star looking to strike gold in the world of college football. But when you find an entire team of basketball players, who also run track together, and pick each other up on the gridiron, you suspect there may be something special going on in Hitchcock, Texas.

It all starts with four-star athlete Kelshaun Johnson, who, at 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds, isn’t the biggest recruit on the field, but he is one of the most unforgettable talents in 3A football. 

“He’s got that extra gear,” head coach Craig Smith said. “You look at his highlights from freshman year, he’ll catch a five-yard stop right and take it 60.” 

Johnson brings that elite speed to other sports for the Hitchcock Bulldogs. He’s a starter on the school's state-champion basketball team, as well as running the fastest 100-meter dash in school history, a whopping 10.49 seconds.

But Johnson doesn’t do this alone. With the stress of recruiting and the hunger to succeed on three teams, he leans on his cousins and his teammates to work through it all.

“I definitely have had my time when I said, ‘It’s getting kind of difficult,’” Johnson said. “All these coaches try to pressure me. My cousins tell me, ‘Go with your heart.’”

Regardless of what sport he’s playing at the moment, Johnson has plenty of help. His quarterback, Lloyd Jones III, is committed to Texas Tech, while fellow wide receiver Bryce Dorsey is signed to play for the Memphis Tigers. Those 3 team up to create a fearsome offense, and relay team, which also holds by far the fastest time in school history. 

“His buddies, (Jones, Dorsey, and fellow teammate Damien McDaniel) have all grown up together,” Smith said. “He’s a great kid, hard-working and very well-mannered. Doesn’t ask for a lot of attention and he’s very selfless.”

Johnson has state champion-level basketball skills, and tremendous speed on the track, but what makes him stick out on the gridiron?

“My speed,” Johnson said. “My way of going over the top of defenders.”

Johnson is one of the fastest players in high school football, and his offer list matches that. He released a top 10 in February that included programs like Texas, Texas A&M, USC and Florida. 

But what separates Johnson is that personality Smith alluded to, one that makes him easy to like off the field, but fierce on it.

“I tell everybody when I talk to them, I want to compete,” Johnson said. “I want to take somebody’s spot.”

Though still listed as an athlete on Dave Campbell’s Texas Football rankings, Johnson does seem to be most interested in the offensive side of the ball. Smith, however, doesn’t want people to overlook his defensive abilities.

“He’s getting heavily recruited as a wideout, but he had three pick-sixes in basically eight games last season,” Smith said. “I want what’s best for him, and (his position) is going to be his decision, and the coach's decision.”

Smith added that most coaches that come around to the 430-student school are looking to find their next wide receiver in Johnson.

Smith cherishes his relationship with players like Johnson, noting that many of the young men he coaches also had their fathers coached by him. Johnson has grown up with the players he still plays with, creating bonds that Smith feels are extremely valuable to a young recruit trying to make that big decision.

“It’s more of a family-type atmosphere,” Smith said. “I have a nephew that’s in the same class. I’ve watched these kids grow up since they were little.”

Smith and Johnson both agreed that the schools highest on his list - Texas, Texas A&M and USC - are there for a reason. 

“Those ones that are high on his list, those are the ones he has great relationships with the coach,” Smith said. “Those guys, they’re here every week. They’re building great relationships.”

With one more year left to play, Johnson is looking to cement himself as the greatest receiver in Hitchcock history and overtake the single-season receiving record. No matter the result, Johnson knows he’ll have plenty of help… on the gridiron, the hardwood and the track.