ASU tight end gets most out of catches
Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2008
JONESBORO — When David Johnson is doing his job, the Arkansas State offense clicks.
The senior tight end is a preseason All-Sun Belt Conference pick and one of the vital cogs in Arkansas State’s attack, even if he is a sometimes invisible cog.
Like just about any player, Johnson welcomes those moments when the ball comes his way, but he takes greater pride in the more anonymous role of blocker.
“My job mostly is blocking,” said Johnson, who also lines up as the H-Back at times in the Red Wolves’ scheme. “I take pride in blocking every snap. If I get a pass I think of it as a little gift.” But when Johnson gets such gifts, it is Arkansas State’s reward. For example, Johnson took a reception 84 yards for a touchdown in last year’s 52-21 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette in Jonesboro.
It was Arkansas State’s best offensive performance in 2007, and Johnson’s role was evident. He had 3 catches for 93 yards and his score while his blocking helped the team roll up a season-high 406 rushing yards, part of a season-high 681 total yards.
“The whole O-line feels good when the running back produces. That means we’re doing our job,” Johnson said.
“David is a devastating blocker,” Coach Steve Roberts said. “He has very good hands and makes several receptions that are crucial for our football team.” Johnson had no receptions as a freshman but has 23 for 404 yards and 4 touchdowns over the past two years. It was enough to earn him third-team All-Sun Belt honors last year and his preseason accolades this season.
None of the awards matter to Johnson.
“It depends on what I do in the season,” he said.
Johnson learned that the hard way last year as things appeared to fall apart immediately after the Louisiana-Lafayette game and Arkansas State lost four of its final six. The offense managed just seven total points in losses at Middle Tennessee and to Troy, and the unit faltered partly of because injuries to quarterback Corey Leonard and running back Reggie Arnold.
To Johnson, who makes part of his living protecting players, that was difficult to see.
“Reggie playing banged up, he could have gotten way more yards than what he was doing,” Johnson said. “And Corey was a little slowed down. That was real frustrating to see.”
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