A three-star recruit according to the 247Sports Composite, Garrett Johnson was a frequent target of praise from the Kentucky coaching staff during his first summer on campus but he was slowed by a finger injury in his first preseason camp. Johnson returned to the field in time for the season opener, in which he caught three passes for 25 yards, but his breakout performance came at Florida in the third game of the season. Johnson caught six passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns vs. the Gators to earn SEC Freshman of the Week honors. Johnson finished ranked fourth on the team in catches (22) and receiving yards (271) as a freshman.