Senior safety Tejay Johnson was one of 30 college football players nominated for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.

Johnson was the second TCU football player to be nominated, following last year’s nomination of former Horned Frog and defensive end Jerry Hughes.

Johnson said he was probably the most surprised to hear about his nomination. He said he had to look up what the Senior CLASS Award was when he was told about his selection as a candidate.

“When I looked into it and saw what it was for, I was kind of impressed and a little shocked, but I also I thought it was neat,” Johnson said.

The Senior CLASS Award, which stands for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, measures four categories: classroom, community, character and competition. In addition to football, Senior CLASS Awards are given to athletes from men and women’s basketball, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, men and women’s soccer, softball and volleyball.

Lowe’s Public Relations Coordinator Gerard Littlejohn said, “Other than being a Division I senior, the award is selected on personal qualities on a complete student athlete.”

TCU Director of Athletics Media Relations Mark Cohen said Johnson has a strong commitment to both football and academics.

“He is very active in the community,” Cohen said. “He should probably do a seminar in time management with all that he has on his plate, with academics, football, his fraternity and time to sing in his gospel choir.”

Johnson said time management was crucial to his success in both the community and on the field.

“I took a class freshman year [at TCU] that was based around time management and college preparation,” Johnson said. “I learned to manage my time so I could do football as well as extra-curricular activities.”

Johnson, the oldest of 11 children, said knowing his younger siblings look up to him makes him strive daily to be a good person with good ethics and values.

The winner of the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award will be announced toward the end of the collegiate season.