Because the prospect visits and exercises proceed to roll on forward of the NFL Draft later this month, the Bucs had one other one on Wednesday. Tampa Bay hosted Texas operating again Roschon Johnson on a go to Wednesday, NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport tweeted.
Some RBs visits:— #Texas RB Roschon Johnson continues to generate curiosity, visiting the #Bucs right now. That is one in all 8 exercises or visits.— #TCU RB Kendre Miller visited the #Cowboys on Monday and Tuesday and the #Saints right now and tomorrow.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 5, 2023
Whereas some mock drafts have projected one other Texas operating again — Bijan Robinson — to be chosen by the Bucs within the first spherical, Johnson falls extra in keeping with what the staff may very well be in search of. As extremely touted of a prospect as Robinson is, he’ll be the primary operating again off the board and Tampa Bay has extra urgent wants to deal with. Johnson, in the meantime, is a projected mid-round decide with a ability set that may complement that of present Bucs beginning operating again Rachaad White.
On the NFL Mix, the Bucs didn’t meet with Robinson. The staff did meet with Johnson in a casual capability, nonetheless. Now, the large, bruising again is in for a go to as Tampa Bay seems to be to assemble additional intel forward of the draft later this month.
Johnson Would Full Bucs’ Backfield With Critical Energy
Texas RB Roschon Johnson Picture By: USA At the moment
With the discharge of Leonard Fournette earlier this offseason, the Bucs at present have White, new signee Chase Edmonds, Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Patrick Laird making up their operating backs room. Including Johnson to the combination would give the group a brand new degree of energy.
The 6-foot, 219-pound Johnson is extraordinarily bodily and runs with numerous energy. He stable complement to what Tampa Bay already has on the place. That’s to not say the Bucs don’t get any energy from White or any of the opposite backs, however there’s one thing to be stated about Johnson being a real energy again. Per Professional Soccer Focus, the previous Longhorn pressured a forty five% missed deal with charge over his final two seasons, which was the best charge of any operating again with at the least 190 dashing makes an attempt.
Johnson additionally exceled within the ball safety side of the sport, ending his faculty profession with only one fumble. That can be an enormous constructive within the eyes of Bucs coaches, particularly new offensive coordinator Dave Canales and new operating backs coach Skip Peete. Plus, Johnson is a succesful cross protector and has loads of particular groups expertise.
Johnson is used to taking part in the complement, too, as he was caught behind Robinson at Texas. Nonetheless, he managed to place collectively 4 impressively constant seasons in Austin:
2019: 123 carries, 649 yards, 7 TD, 5.3 avg.2020: 80 carries, 418 yards, 6 TD, 5.2 avg. 2021: 96 carries, 569 yards, 5 TD, 5.9 avg.2022: 93 carries, 554 yards, 5 TD, 6.0 avg.
There’s a case to be made that Johnson has much more worth as a result of he had a lesser workload in faculty. Whereas the pattern dimension and manufacturing might take a success, he could be more energizing and have much less tread on his tires than a operating again who carried the ball 200 occasions per season on the collegiate degree.
Johnson is at present the No. 126 participant on PFF’s Large Board, which locations him within the fourth-round vary. The Bucs don’t at present have a fourth-round decide, however basic supervisor Jason Licht has proven a penchant for making trades on draft weekend through the years.
In Addition To His Ability Set, Johnson Is The Sort Of Individual Bucs Look For
Texas RB Roschon Johnson Picture By: USA At the moment
What could also be simply as necessary to the Bucs as Johnson’s bodily operating type, ball safety and general ability set is the truth that he’s beloved by his teammates and coaches alike. Towards the tip of final season, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke glowingly about Johnson’s influence on the Longhorns program and team-first angle.
“I believe that whenever you speak about what’s a Texas Longhorn soccer participant, in my thoughts I consider Roschon Johnson as a result of he’s a selfless participant,” Sarkisian stated. “He isn’t the star or beginning operating again for the College of Texas, however but that doesn’t ever get in the way in which of his work ethic. That doesn’t ever get in the way in which of his method. It doesn’t each get in the way in which of his want-to and wish to do effectively for his staff and wish to win. He may most likely be beginning at a bunch of different colleges, but what does he do? He maximizes his alternatives each time he will get it.”
“He doesn’t rely his reps, he makes his reps rely. He begins on 4 particular groups. He runs down on kickoff and makes tackles, and handles our punt staff. He does all of the little issues the proper manner. Each time I meet with a younger participant, I all the time reference ‘how will you be extra like him? That’s what your objective needs to be as a result of that man does it the proper manner. He’s obtained a vibrant, vibrant future on the soccer area, however he’s obtained most likely a brighter future off the soccer area due to who he’s as an individual.”
Robinson, Johnson’s backfield mate at Texas for the final three years, spoke very extremely about him on the NFL Mix final month, too.
“Roschon is, to begin with, the most effective teammate I’ve ever had,” Robinson stated. “Clearly, he’s a operating again, however I believe that he brings out a lot in a participant and a staff. Simply how he goes about being a pacesetter to not simply his teammates however to all people in the neighborhood. I believe that who he’s as an individual and what he does on the soccer area is, to me, I don’t suppose it’s ignored. As a result of he exhibits his presence and makes his presence felt.
“However Roschon is the man, and I believe that he’s the opposite nice operating again on this class. I don’t suppose individuals ought to overlook the expertise that he has and the ability set that he brings as a result of I believe he’s simply nearly as good as anyone and I believe his toughness and his coronary heart is what makes him stand out over all people.”
The Bucs, particularly below the course of Licht, have been large on high-character guys. Former staff captains and leaders are all around the staff’s roster, which is why it’s straightforward to see Licht and Co. pondering very extremely of Johnson as each a participant and particular person.
