It’s been a long road for Deondre Johnson since he arrived at Newburgh Free Academy West three years ago.

Then, an at-risk student, the Newburgh football team’s standout wide receiver turned his academics around, landing on the first quarter High Honor Roll. He led the Goldbacks to an appearance in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class AA championship game, and, on Wednesday, he signed his National Letter of Intent to play Division I football at Rutgers University, a member of the Big Ten conference.

“This means a lot,” Johnson said. “Coming from a place like Newburgh, coming from the background I came from, this is big. Words can’t explain how fulfilling this looks. If I look happy, then that’s all I can say.”

Johnson surprised everyone in May when he verbally committed to attend Rutgers on the spot during a visit. He committed to playing wide receiver, with the potential to get a look on the defensive side of the football.

“Rutgers is a home as soon as you step on the Rutgers premises, you will feel the Rutgers connection,” Johnson said. “Even after my first visit, when I heard what they had to say to keep doing what I got to do. That made me choose to go there.”

Even after Johnson gave his commitment to Rutgers in May, there was still at that time some question as to whether he would reach signing day. Academics were still an issue, but Johnson put forth the effort to improve in all areas.

“He was never at a spot where he was completely out of it, but he had work to do,” Newburgh football coach Bill Bianco said. “We’ve had kids in the past that were in that some spot and chose not to do work, but to his credit, and to all the people around him, with him leading the way, we were able to get him to believe this was important enough to work for, and he did. The credit goes to him.”

Johnson, who initially resisted the move to NFA West, has come to embrace the school. He is an active member of the NFA West Campus Big Picture Learning program. He is a member of the NECSD My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) program. Johnson has been an active part of the school and district community, contributing to speaking events at elementary and middle schools and playing a major role on the student leadership team at NFA West Campus.

“Deondre Johnson is the true definition of success,” NFA West Counselor Lakeya Stukes said. “I have witnessed his growth, maturity and drive as a student-athlete, and it has been remarkable to watch. His commitment to being a role model in the Newburgh community in and outside of school is outstanding.”

NFA West Assistant principal Ebony Clark said Johnson was the definition of a scholar athlete, and she pointed out that Johnson didn’t want to come to West when his mother wanted to send him there.

“And you told me that,” Clark said to Johnson. “And I made you a promise that you will have this moment, and this is your moment.”

As Clark, Stukes, Bianco, and others heaped praise, Johnson sat behind the table, seemingly fighting back tears.

“That means a lot that everyone took note of how I was the last four years of my high school career,” Johnson said. “Everyone who supported me, I couldn’t thank them enough. I didn’t really ask for too much, but they gave me everything.”