How WR Kenny Johnson is finding a comfort zone with Texas Tech football
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How WR Kenny Johnson is finding a comfort zone with Texas Tech football
Don Williams, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal·Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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5 min read
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WhenKenny Johnsonwas a high school football prospect in Pennsylvania, recruiting services listed 16 colleges offering him scholarships, nine from power conferences.
You might say the talented wide receiver had his pick. He had time, too, given that recruitment of high school players tends to unfold over weeks and months — a few years even. Ultimately, he chose Pittsburgh overWest Virginia,Boston College, Rutgers, andPenn State.
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The recruiting process in the NCAA transfer portal isn't like that, especially after the portal window was condensed this year to one two-week period in January.
"How it is now, it's quick," Johnson said this week. "You've got to go on your visits, and you've got to make your decision fast, because those spots fill up fast. It was a lot different, a lot more stressful."
Texas Tech receivers coach Justin "Juice" Johnson looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
texas Tech tight ends coach Josh Cochran looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Jett Carpenter goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Kenny Johnson goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Howard Sampson goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's D'Anthis Upshaw goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Jojo Johnson goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Jalen Jones goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Bryson Jones goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Julien Laventure goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Amari Fleming goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Krush Johnson goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's S'Vioarean Martin goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Trey White goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Donovan Webb goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's outside linebackers coach Jacquies Smith leads a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's A.J. Holmes goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Imari Jehiel goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Quintaelyn Joyner goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Michael Dever goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Tristian Gentry goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Ben Roberts goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Corey Platt goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Brock Golwas goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech defensive coordinator Shiel Wood leads a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Austin Romaine goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Austin Romaine goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Ellis Davis goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Elias Gillen goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Jordan Church goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Felix Ojo goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Trey White (2) and Adam Trick go through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby goes through a drill as offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Lloyd Jones III goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Stephen Cannon goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Micah Hudson goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Micah Hudson goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech's Donte Lee goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practices
Texas Tech receivers coach Justin "Juice" Johnson looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practices
Texas Tech receivers coach Justin "Juice" Johnson looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practices
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practices
texas Tech tight ends coach Josh Cochran looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practices
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Jett Carpenter goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Kenny Johnson goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Howard Sampson goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's D'Anthis Upshaw goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Jojo Johnson goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Jalen Jones goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Bryson Jones goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Julien Laventure goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practices
Texas Tech's Amari Fleming goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Krush Johnson goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's S'Vioarean Martin goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Trey White goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Donovan Webb goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's outside linebackers coach Jacquies Smith leads a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's A.J. Holmes goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Imari Jehiel goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Quintaelyn Joyner goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Michael Dever goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Tristian Gentry goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Ben Roberts goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Corey Platt goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Brock Golwas goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech defensive coordinator Shiel Wood leads a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Austin Romaine goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Austin Romaine goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Ellis Davis goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Elias Gillen goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Jordan Church goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Felix Ojo goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Trey White (2) and Adam Trick go through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby goes through a drill as offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Lloyd Jones III goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Stephen Cannon goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Micah Hudson goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Micah Hudson goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
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Texas Tech's Donte Lee goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal)
When the former Pittsburgh wide receiver/return man landed in Lubbock and stepped inside theTexas Tech football facilities, however, all things were made clear.
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"Honestly, I don't know why I was thinking of any other school, to be honest," said Johnson, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound senior. "I mean, I took one visit here and that's all I needed to see."
TheRed Raiderswill be one-third of the way through spring practice after their workout on Saturday, March 28. Tech coach Joey McGuire said Johnson so far has fit in as well as the Red Raiders could have hoped.
"One, he's one of the guys you love being around," McGuire said. "He's got a million-dollar smile. He's always happy. He's always smiling.
"He's doing a really good job of learning the offense. We're doing some different things on offense, moving our receivers around in different spots, and he's really picking it up. He's got really good hands."
Texas Tech's Kenny Johnson goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Johnson, born in Baltimore, spent his middle and high school years in York,Pennsylvania. His father's in the U.S. Army. He starred at Dallastown Area High School and won MVP honors of the prestigious Big 33 all-star game with a 9-catch, 161-yard performance. Then it was off to Pitt, where he played in 38 games over the past three seasons, never redshirting.
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As a Panthers freshman in 2023, he caught 15 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown in 12 games. In 2024, he caught 46 passes for 537 yards and 3 TDs, and last year he caught 48 passes for 695 yards and 5 TDs. His numbers the past two years were similar to what 2025 Tech seniors Caleb Douglas andReggie Virgilput up.
He's part of a portal receiver class that also includes outside receiversDonte Lee Jr.from Liberty andMalcolm Simmonsfrom Auburn, and inside receiverJalen Jonesfrom Alabama State. They join returning starterCoy EakinandMicah Hudson, the returning receiver with the next-best numbers.
"It's insane," Johnson said. "We've got maybe four or five number ones. We've got some dudes, and we're making plays every day."
Johnson suggests it's not that difficult to make plays with the quality of quarterbacking the Red Raiders are seeing in spring practice fromBrendan Sorsby, the Cincinnati transfer who was second-team all-Big 12 last season. The 6-3, 235-pound senior from Corinth Lake Dallas last season threw for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns and ran for 580 yards and, for the second year in a row, 9 TDs.
"I've had some talented quarterbacks," Johnson said, "and I've never seen the pop that comes off the ball (out of) his hand. It's insane. The throws that he makes — like on the run, rolling to his left, getting his hips square, getting the ball down the field.
"And he's smart. He's making checks at the line, and we've been here for, like, three weeks. He's doing a great job."
Tech plans to put Johnson to work beyond wide receiver, given his background as a return man.
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He had a kickoff-return touchdown againstNorth Carolinain 2023 and a punt-return touchdown at Syracuse in 2025. For his career, Johnson's averaged 23.0 yards on 42 kickoff returns and 10.2 yards on 24 punt returns.
Johnson said he returned kickoffs in high school, and Pitt didn't use him to return punts until his sophomore year. But when Panthers coaches trotted him out in that role, it worked out well. Now his new coach calls him "a legitimate punt returner."
"He has got a skill set at punt return — himandMalcolm Simmons — and so I'm excited," McGuire said. "He's doing a good job of fielding punts, and that'll bring a lot to the table. ... He is a natural. He's done it. At Pittsburgh, he did it at a really high level."
