7 Oct 2000: A shot of a helmet of the Arizona Wildcats and a football during the game against the USC Trojans at the Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The Wildcats defeated the Torjans 31-15.Mandatory Credit: Donald Miralle /Allsport

When University of Arizona football signee My-King Johnson steps onto the field this fall, he will become the first openly gay scholarship football player in NCAA football.

Johnson has been out to his friends and family since he was 12 years old, but he came out publicly in an interview with The Arizona Republic.

“I’m a very honest person,” he said. “I just don’t see how I could be living an honest, truthful life and have that in the background.”

“I do feel like when I say that, it can put a target on my back,” Johnson said about being open about his sexuality.

“But whatever.”

Some of Johnson’s former high school teammates learned about his sexuality, and his honesty and openness were received well. That won’t be changing with his new team, said Wildcats assistant coach Vince Amey, who recruited Johnson.

“When I found out, I really couldn’t sleep,” Amey said. “And it wasn’t like I was uncomfortable with it. I was just like, all right, it’s different, it’s new. … I said, ‘Look, you are who you are, I am who I am, and I’m going to coach you the same way. I’m going to treat you the same way. I’m going to get on you the same way as everybody else. There’s no difference. You do what you do.’ I said, ‘When the players find out, especially my room, I’m going to tell (those) dudes: “Look, you gotta have his back. “‘”

Johnson won’t be the first openly gay college football player, but he will be the highest profile. Walk-on Arizona State offensive lineman Chip Sarafin came out in 2014, and Princeton offensive lineman Mason Darrow, who plays in the FCS-level Ivy League, did the same in 2015. Former Missouri star Michael Sam came out after his career in 2014.

Johnson is considered a more talented player coming out of high school than either Sarafin or Darrow were. A three-star recruit, according to 247Sports, Johnson initially committed to UCLA before eventually choosing Arizona. He also held offers from powerhouse programs, including USC, Oregon and Texas A&M.

About Kevin Trahan

Kevin mostly covers college football and college basketball, with an emphasis on NCAA issues and other legal issues in sports. He is also an incoming law student. He's written for SB Nation, USA Today, VICE Sports, The Guardian and The Wall Street Journal, among others. He is a graduate of Northwestern University.