Johnson Continues to Round Into UW Shape, Scores Scrimmage TD

Earlier, the running back transfer talked about Mike Leach, how long he could stay in Montlake.

Saturday's University of Washington football scrimmage was closed to all but a few alums, team donors who have to sign in, people who can't bring in anyone 18 years and younger and aren't supposed to blab about what they saw.

If they could freely share intel, they would probably be outside Husky Stadium, standing in front of a bank of TV cameras and reporters, and gushing about having witnessed  Mississippi State transfer running back Dillon Johnson in action for the first time.

Johnson has been advertised as someone who could help make the Huskies' high-powered offense even more unfair for opposing defenses to try and stop.

Instead, Husky coach Kalen DeBoer was left to offer a post-practice update and he indicated Johnson — who's just rounding into shape following a couple of minor knee surgeries — had a couple of impressive carries, including one for a touchdown. He didn't say how far it went, but he seemed overly pleased by the outcome.

"It was a really nice run," said DeBoer,

So fast and powerful, the 6-foot, 218-pound Johnson is a different sort of back than the Huskies have on the roster. He might be the best receiver of all of them. He's played in the SEC, on the biggest college football stage, so nothing fazes him. He's just not in optimum shape yet.

“If I had to say what he is, what I think he can be — I don’t think he’s there yet,” DeBoer said. “[He's] just getting his legs underneath him. [We're] still working him into the shape I know he can be.”

Junior returnee Cam Davis stands to be the No. 1 back once the season begins on Sept. 2 against Boise State, but it shouldn't take too long for Johnson to get on the field and offer a change-up presence for the offense.

While Johnson made a stronger connection on Saturday with the Huskies, senior wide receiver and kick returner Giles Jackson was noticeable walking around with a cast covering his hand and a broken finger.

DeBoer said the speedster should be able to return to practice at some point during the season and a decision then would be made whether to seek a medical redshirt for him. Jackson has played two seasons at Michigan and two for the UW.

Sophomore offensive guard Gaard Memmelaar, also was idle, limping around with a black brace on one of his knees, as were sophomore defensive tackle Jayvon Parker and tight end Ryan Otton, who weren't in pads because of various ailments. 

Asked if there still might be any starting lineup surprises between now and the opener, DeBoer said, “It’s been pretty much status quo since you guys saw practice.”

Johnson comes to the Huskies after enjoying considerable success for the late Mike Leach and having a strange parting with the unconventional coach. Leach actually took a veiled shot at the departing running back in a leaked recording that was leaked, suggesting that Johnson wasn't tough enough. 

That seemed ludicrous after everyone during spring practice saw Johnson in a Husky uniform for the first time and show off his burst running around the left side and then level a fierce stiff arm into a bevy of tacklers.

Either way, it seemed Leach might have been more distressed that Johnson was leaving him and didn't react well. Strangely enough, the former Washington State coach had a massive heart attack at home and died shortly after the controversy evolved.

"With stuff like that, when you have one of your top guys leaving, it's always emotional," Johnson said. "It's something you say out of emotion. I don't think he meant it. It's all good. I wish his family nothing but the best."

After spending three years in the SEC, Johnson has two years of eligibility remaining and said he easily could stay that long in Montlake if needed.

His preference, of course, would be to have so much success this fall that he goes directly into the NFL draft, but he said anything goes.

"I definitely could," the upbeat Mississippi native said of a possible 2024 return. "This year will be a big year for me, especially showing the scouts. I feel like I've shown the scouts a lot, but not everything I can do. I think this will be a big year for me if i just stay humble and do what the coaches tell me to do and stay in the playbook. That will be the biggest thing, just knowing what I'm supposed to do and where I'm supposed to be on the field."

There's no secret there — that would be the end zone.

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