University of Tennessee Athletics
Effort, Not Depth Chart Guides Johnson
October 15, 2014 | Football
By Brian Rice KNOXVILLE, Tenn.
UTSports.com
Tennessee listed six wide receivers on that first depth chart, but that did not affect the way Johnson prepared every day. He worked the same way when he showed up on it in place of the injured Von Pearson two weeks later against Oklahoma. And, though his performance might say otherwise, it did not change when he made his first start of the season against Chattanooga last Saturday.
"I really don't worry about playing time," Johnson said. "I just go out here and control what I can control. Just my effort on the practice field and keeping my head down and working hard every day."
Johnson started two games a season ago, and saw action in 10. But with the influx of talent at the wide receiver position in the offseason, he found his way path to the field crowded. An injury in camp further slowed his progress. But once healthy, his will to work meant that he was going to see time, no matter whose name was listed above his in the game notes.
"Great competitive character," head coach Butch Jones said of Johnson. "Always understands his role, always looking to do better, he's the definition of a team player. A lot of that is playing with great instincts, he takes coaching and works the fine details. Wide receiver is a details position, there's so much that goes into it. He has very good ball skills, he's able to make adjustments in the air."
Do not mistake a lack of attention to the depth chart for a lack of desire to be at the top of it.
"Of course you want the ball," Johnson said. "You want to be out there every play. Just keeping in the back of my head that my time will come really drives me every day. When my opportunity comes, I just try to make the most of it."
And he did make the most of his first start of the season against the Mocs. Johnson hauled in the first two touchdown receptions of his career as part of a three-catch day.
His 21-yard reception with just seconds left before halftime gave Tennessee a three-touchdown lead. A 19-yard grab on the second play of the third quarter effectively shut the door on the game.
Johnson had catches of 20+ yards against Georgia and Florida, building toward his performance on Saturday. With the increased role in the offense, his role in the locker room has also grown.
"What's starting to happen with his confidence is you see his leadership," Jones said. "He's really earned the respect of his peers and his teammates and his coaches and he's really feeding off of that."
