Freshmen Faces: RB Justin Johnson Jr.

Looking at what freshman running back Justin Johnson Jr. brings to the table for West Virginia.
Freshmen Faces: RB Justin Johnson Jr.
Freshmen Faces: RB Justin Johnson Jr.

RB Justin Johnson Jr.

Height: 6'0" Weight: 205 lbs

Hometown: Edwardsville, IL

High school: Edwardsville

Why he chose West Virginia (a comment given at the moment of commitment):

"The Morgantown environment is great. I also really love the family-like bond that the coaches have with their players. They are great coaches and even better men. They genuinely care about the players."

Power Five Offers:

Cal, Illinois, Indiana, Louisville, Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue, Washington State.

Group of Five Offers:

Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Kent State, Temple, Western Michigan, Wyoming.

Evaluation:

Johnson Jr. brings some versatility to the Mountaineers' running back room as not only a dynamic runner but a pass-catcher out of the backfield. He doesn't look like the biggest back in the world, but he's a tough, hard-nosed runner that is not easy to bring down. He sheds tackles fairly easily and runs with great balance. He's a home run waiting to happen with the way he hits the hole and can get separation from a defender quickly.

Playing time projection:

Johnson Jr. could see some playing time as a true freshman but with Leddie Brown returning alongside Tony Mathis and A'varius Sparrow, a redshirt year could be a possibility in 2021 and then getting in the mix in year two. 

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Schuyler Callihan
SCHUYLER CALLIHAN

Schuyler Callihan is the publisher of West Virginia On SI and has been a trusted source covering the Mountaineers since 2016. He is the host of Between The Eers, The Walk Thru Game Day Show, and In the Gun Podcast. The Wheeling, WV native moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2020 to cover the Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers.

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