Devin Johnson is the 2023 Resistol Junior Boy Rookie of the Year. Devin is 12 years old and from Grantsville, Utah. Devin competes in team roping, ribbon roping, breakaway roping, goat tying, and flag racing. Devin's horses are what made this dream come true. "My horse's names are Trigger (Team Roping), Peanut (Breakaway and Goat horse). My horses play a big part of me competing and winning. Without them I wouldn't have won as many rodeos as I did this year.". Winning this title was a very exciting moment for Devin. "I was excited, it was a cool experience to hear my name announced as the Resistol Rookie of the Year at Nationals. It made all the practice, hard work and dedication worth it and to see it all paid off was awesome. The best part of winning Rookie was winning Rookie of the Year with my older brother Tyler (Bubba) Johnson. Tyler (Bubba) is someone I have always looked up to. He is another reason I won this title, he is one of the best coaches and has helped me from the practice pen to saddling and warming up my horses.". Some of Devin's other accomplishments are qualifying and competing in The Mike Johnson Vegas Tuffest in Las Vegas, NV. Devin won the Hot Round there and won $14,000 when he was 10 years old. Devin competes in the Utah Jr High Rodeo Association where he qualified for state finals in the team roping, breakaway roping, goat tying, and ribbon roping for the last two years. Devin's main goal this year is to qualify for Jr High Nationals, Little Britches Finals, and win a world title.
Family is a huge part of Devin's life. "My family are some of my biggest fans and supporters. My dad, Cody, is my hero. He has been one of the best coaches. My mom, Ashley, is my biggest fan. She has hauled me to many of my rodeos when my dad and older brother would be at a high school rodeo. My older brother, Colby, is married and both him and his wife Sage have been great examples and supporters. Then there is my older brother, Tyler (Bubba), Bubba has been my number one coach, best friend, traveling partner, and one of the best steer and calf pushers. My grandparents love to travel and support both me and my brother at our rodeos, I can't think of very many they have missed. I know that family will always be there to cheer me on and support me in and out of the arena.". When Devin is not at a rodeo, he stays plenty busy. "My family owns and operates a cattle ranch, where we run 500 head of cattle. So, when we are not at a rodeo we are working on the ranch, whether its gathering cows, branding cows, or moving cows there is always work to be done. The family ranch has been in the family for over 100 years, working on the ranch is something we all do as a family. I also play football, I have played for 5 years. My football team has won 3 state championships. My dad owns and operates his own trucking and excavating business and I like to go to work with him and run all the heavy equipment. So, I seem to keep myself busy when I am not in the rodeo arena.".