Kerryon Johnson’s stock on the rise

[aubiefifty 16,778]

ledger-enquirer.com

 

Why is Auburn RB Kerryon Johnson’s stock on the rise?

By Michael Niziolekmniziolek@ledger-enquirer.com

Injuries were the only thing that kept Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson from having 1,200 yards last season according to his position coach Tim Horton.

Johnson already sits atop the depth chart alongside Kamryn Pettway, but Horton identified the junior as someone whose “stock has gone up the last three to four months.”

Horton pointed to Johnson’s full participation in the program’s offseason conditioning program as a key factor.

It’s the first time in three years Johnson isn’t dealing with lingering injuries from the football season. Last year, Johnson had shoulder surgery during the offseason, which kept him out of the weight room and off the field for the majority of spring practice.

“Kerryon’s problem the two years he’s been here is that durability aspect,” Horton said. “You are going to get hit a lot (as a SEC running back).”

Time spent in the weight room this spring will help Johnson, who is up to 210 pounds, take those hits a little better.

Johnson had a productive year as a sophomore rushing the ball 182 times for 895 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The Madison, Alabama native finished No. 7 in the SEC with 1,287 all-purpose yards, but an ankle injury he suffered on the first drive against Mississippi State plagued him for the rest of the regular season.

Johnson didn’t play in a 56-3 win over Arkansas the following week and spent much of the next two months taking mental reps at practice.

While Auburn had the top rushing attack in the SEC, injuries to Johnson and Pettway prevented the duo from reaching even greater heights.

“If we have a full healthy season, I can't think of what we'll be able to do,” Johnson said at the end of last season. “It's going to be hard to beat him and me as a one-two punch in the SEC and the country. Full healthy, it's scary to think about.”

[McLoofus 35,182]

KJ is only the latest Auburn RB to be underappreciated by the fans. Hopefully he gets to put that to bed this season. 

[Barnacle 9,064]

In before McLoofus! 

 

dangit

[Barnacle 9,064]

I might be one of those fans who under appreciates him. I'm not sure. 

I do think with a more balanced offense and a healthy body, he is going to have an opportunity to be a BIG TIME contributor. Much more so than he has been in the past, which as the article points out, is already a lot. 

What I unquestionably appreciate about Kerryon is his character. Not just how he handles himself off the field, or the kind of leader he has become, but how smart he is on the field. Dude has some serious football IQ. He's someone you don't worry about when he's on the field. He's going to do his job. 

[alexava 6,973]

Kj ran with more power before the injury. It looked like he got the speed back. I don't think he was as strong after the injury. 

[McLoofus 35,182]

27 minutes ago, Barnacle said:

I do think with a more balanced offense and a healthy body, he is going to have an opportunity to be a BIG TIME contributor. Much more so than he has been in the past, which as the article points out, is already a lot. 

While we've disagreed a little bit on exactly what we think he's capable of getting carries out of the backfield- whether it be in terms of ability, durability, etc.- I completely agree with you that Lindsey should be able to get a lot more out of Kerryon by throwing him the ball more often. He's as good a pass catcher as we have on the team and he will be better and contribute more if his versatility is taken advantage of. 

No idea if it will fully translate, but on paper, Lindsey's offense at ASU was tailor made for a guy like KJ. It's very exciting.

[Barnacle 9,064]

2 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

While we've disagreed a little bit on exactly what we think he's capable of getting carries out of the backfield- whether it be in terms of ability, durability, etc.- I completely agree with you that Lindsey should be able to get a lot more out of Kerryon by throwing him the ball more often. He's as good a pass catcher as we have on the team and he will be better and contribute more if his versatility is taken advantage of. 

No idea if it will fully translate, but on paper, Lindsey's offense at ASU was tailor made for a guy like KJ. It's very exciting.

Fully agreed. 

KJ is most dangerous when in space, and Lindsey's offense is going to create more space for guys like KJ and Martin. Not to mention, when this offense gets clicking as I think it will, we are going to be able to get very creative with those guys, especially with their ball skills. 

I think it was corchjay that talked about KJ being a "long-strider". The good thing about someone like that is that when you do get them in space, they are going to pick up large chunks of yardage in a hurry. 

I actually also think KJ will have more success between the tackles this season as well. We have every tool in place to create a lot of space at the LOS, and we have backs who can both take advantage. 

[AuburnNTexas 7,143]

53 minutes ago, Barnacle said:

Fully agreed. 

KJ is most dangerous when in space, and Lindsey's offense is going to create more space for guys like KJ and Martin. Not to mention, when this offense gets clicking as I think it will, we are going to be able to get very creative with those guys, especially with their ball skills. 

I think it was corchjay that talked about KJ being a "long-strider". The good thing about someone like that is that when you do get them in space, they are going to pick up large chunks of yardage in a hurry. 

I actually also think KJ will have more success between the tackles this season as well. We have every tool in place to create a lot of space at the LOS, and we have backs who can both take advantage. 

I agree with everything you said except about having every tool in place too create space at the LOS.  I think that is our big question mark for next year. I worry about the O-line. We have recruited very talented guys however we could have between 2 and 3 new starters as I think only Golson and Smith are for sure starters next year. We still are not sure who the starters are and which position they will play so not getting a lot of reps with same guys at same position. This unit could end up being anywhere from slightly below average to great there are to many unknowns at this time.

[Barnacle 9,064]

Just now, AuburnNTexas said:

I agree with everything you said except about having every tool in place too create space at the LOS.  I think that is our big question mark for next year. I worry about the O-line. We have recruited very talented guys however we could have between 2 and 3 new starters as I think only Golson and Smith are for sure starters next year. We still are not sure who the starters are and which position they will play so not getting a lot of reps with same guys at same position. This unit could end up being anywhere from slightly below average to great there are to many unknowns at this time.

Right. I agree with you about the offensive line. That seems to be the biggest question mark that we have, assuming Stidham is who we think he is. 

I meant that we will have every tool available from a skill position standpoint to keep defenses honest, utilize motion, and call a catalogue of plays that will be less predictable than we have been in the past. 

But, as you pointed out, none of that matters if we can't block. 

[DAG 33,982]

Phenomenon athlete when healthy. Please take him off of KRs, though.

[gravejd 3,270]

Really hope we can keep KJ and KP healthy at the same time. Extremely talented duo right there. I hope KJ doesn't turn into another Mario Fannin (sp?) Looks like an all world running back but can't put it together for whatever reason. Mario's problem was funbles and KJ's has been health. Hope he can kick that trend this year and get his first 1000yd season!

[AidiAU 1,270]

1 hour ago, DAG said:

Phenomenon athlete when healthy. Please take him off of KRs, though.

I cringe thinking about it. Watching him return made me so nervous.

KJ has been one of my favorites since he was recruited. He certainly loves AU and represents us well. Plus, I think he's hilarious on Twitter. Yup, I'm admitting that I follow him. ?

[McLoofus 35,182]

I asked awhile back and don't think I ever got an answer: How often do guys actually get hurt returning kicks? I can't think of a single example off the top of my head. 

[IronMan70 3,277]

I still think he caught that ball on the 5 yard line, hah. Good to see he is up to 210 lbs now. Hopefully he gets to about 215 before the season, that will help.  

[McLoofus 35,182]

7 minutes ago, IronMan70 said:

I still think he caught that ball on the 5 yard line, hah. Good to see he is up to 210 lbs now. Hopefully he gets to about 215 before the season, that will help.  

2nd best catch of the season. 

[oracle79 3,569]

8 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

I asked awhile back and don't think I ever got an answer: How often do guys actually get hurt returning kicks? I can't think of a single example off the top of my head. 

I'm pretty sure they've done studies in the NFL, but I got no links.  But, I think it was a factor in them changing the KO rules to begin at 25 to reduce the number of KO's.  It's probably not as bad as we imagine, but it's just when you see a highlight of someone getting blown up full speed on KO, it looks brutal.

[McLoofus 35,182]

8 minutes ago, oracle79 said:

I'm pretty sure they've done studies in the NFL, but I got no links.  But, I think it was a factor in them changing the KO rules to begin at 25 to reduce the number of KO's.  It's probably not as bad as we imagine, but it's just when you see a highlight of someone getting blown up full speed on KO, it looks brutal.

Yeah, I think that was related more to the blockers and coverage guys than the return guys. 

I just really don't think that returning kickoffs meaningfully increases that guy's chance of injury. 

[oracle79 3,569]

Bad quality, but one of the better ones I remember seeing.

 

[DAG 33,982]

Has nothing to do with the potential of getting hurt on Kick Returns. IMO, he is just not a KR specialist. Doesn't have crazy break away speed and at times last year, he had tunnel vision, completely foregoing cutting back to open lanes.

[McLoofus 35,182]

30 minutes ago, oracle79 said:

Bad quality, but one of the better ones I remember seeing.

 

Ouch. 

[ScottsboroAuburnFan 462]

My opinion is KJ will be deadly in passing game this fall, Bubba gonna pound and KJ hit the out side and catch alot of passes IMO.