Leon Johnson Shows Out in Cowboys Win Against Cincinnati
Before the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats, Oklahoma State wide receiver Leon Johnson had zero catches on the season. The senior made sure that the stat changed on Saturday.
Johnson had five catches for 149 yards against the Bearcats, including a 67-yard reception.
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy said he knew Johnson would be a productive wide receiver, but he was even shocked on Saturday.
"I felt like he would play really good, but I'm not going to say that I thought he would step up for the first time and go for 150. So, I think we're pleasantly, kind of surprised,” Gundy said. “When we needed him at West Virginia, he stepped up and helped us. Then he practiced all week and played well today.
“That's a real challenge for young people nowadays to understand the commitment it takes, even though you might not think you're going to play very much on Saturday.”
Johnson wasn’t even in Power Five football last season, for he spent last year with Division III’s George Fox University.
He shined his junior year as he racked up 55 catches for 1,156 yards and 14 touchdowns. Johnson’s season led to honors as he was named AFCA All-American last year.
Johnson now is here in Stillwater, where he had played only a handful of plays this season before Saturday. Gundy said it's hard to keep guys upright when they aren’t getting any playing time, but Johnson made sure to be ready whenever his number was called.
“He's always practiced well. You have to give him credit,” Gundy said. “One thing that's difficult for college players to do is to stay engaged and practice hard and compete. When you think 'Saturday, I might not get to play that much.' That's hard. We talk to the players about that all the time, so that you never know when you're going to get to play.
“But it's still hard to tell a guy 'I need you to run, bust it in practice, watch extra tape and all these things. Oh, and you might not play very much.' And he's done a good job at that.”
Johnson will look to keep it going next Saturday when OSU takes on Oklahoma at 2:30 p.m. at Boone Pickens Stadium.
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