Mizzou Wide Receiver Marquis Johnson More Confident After Freshman Season

The speedy receiver spoke to the media Wednesday after a spring practice.

COLUMBIA — Wide receiver Marquis Johnson is on the fast track to becoming a key contributor for the Missouri offense. After a freshman season where he had 383 receiving yards on just 13 receptions, the deep threat is looking to become more involved with the rest of the team.

"I'm just going to do the same thing I did last year," Johnson said Wednesday after a spring practice. "Just really working on little things I can do better, how to help the team."

Johnson was able to stretch the field for Missouri in the 2023 season, distracting defenders and opening up space for playmaker Luther Burden over the middle of the field. The experience in his young career made Johnson feel more confident and prepared for his sophomore year.

 "I'm personally more confident," Johnson said. "Last year I wasn't as confident, I was just trying to get around, get into things but this year I'm approaching it with a different mindset and more confident."

Since Johnson arrived to campus, his chemistry with quarterback Brady Cook has grown "tremendously." For this season, he's looking to build stronger relationships with the rest of the team.

"Next step is just working on being a team player, getting more involved with the team and stop trying to be just myself just doing more with the team, doing more things after practice," Johnson said.

Johnson should have no problems building connection with the rest of the Tigers' wide receivers as nearly every single starter at the position from last year will return to the team this year. 

"It's very exciting to see what we can do," Johnson said. "I love seeing all my guys back. It's just very fun to have another year with everybody."

With the promise he showed in his first season, Johnson should quickly step into a larger role for the Tigers offense.

Johnny Walker, Joe Moore Emerging as Leaders on Mizzou's Defense at Spring Practices