STARKVILLE — Justin Johnson had different experiences the last two summers.
Last summer, Johnson arrived at Mississippi State as a wide receiver out of Hoover (Ala.) High School. In training camp, Johnson moved to tight end and had to adjust to a variety of new responsibilities, including a different blocking scheme.
The 6-foot-3, 239-pound Johnson said it took him time to understand the differences between how a wide receiver blocks — usually down field against cornerbacks and safeties — compared to a tight end — usually against defensive linemen, yards away from the quarterback or running back. But he credited Gus Walley and Darrion Hutcherson for helping him to understand how to adjust and adapt.
“I learned how to be in the SEC, I learned how to be a player, and I learned how to be a student of the game,” Johnson said. “Being behind Gus and Hutch, I saw how they went about the week and how they prepared going into big games and preparing themselves for what’s about to happen.”
This summer, Johnson returned to campus prepared to handle his duties as a tight end. The losses of Walley (injury) and Hutcherson (graduation) have left Johnson in position to compete with redshirt freshman Farrod Green, sophomore walk-on Aaron Hamaker, junior college transfer Jordan Thomas, and freshmen Christian Roberson and Dontea Jones for playing time. Even though Johnson should still be a backup, he likely will be a starter when MSU plays host to South Alabama in its season opener at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3 (SEC Network), at Davis Wade Stadium.
“Over the summer, I was a tight end. Last summer, I was a receiver,” Johnson said. “This summer being a true tight end, I feel like it’s helped me learn more and just being in the film room has just helped me grow as a player.”
Johnson had five catches for 41 yards and a touchdown in 11 games last season. The touchdown was a 5-yard strike from quarterback Dak Prescott against Southern Mississippi. This season, MSU coach Dan Mullen and tight ends coach Scott Sallach are looking to Johnson to be a leader.
“He’s come a long way,” Sallach said. “He’s come a long way because he’s had no other choice. He’s the old guy. Sometimes you aren’t ready to be the old guy, so I think it puts a little pressure on him.”
Johnson said it has been a weird feeling knowing he is the veteran and the leader of the group. But with a full spring of practice at the position and a summer to prepare to take on more responsibility, Johnson said he is getting more comfortable.
“The beginning of the summer was kind of tough just knowing so little and having to do so much,” Johnson said. “I’ve grown into it, and now I’m getting better at trying to take a leadership role and lead guys.”
Johnson is still growing into that leadership role. Sallach understands the struggle, but he knows the Southeastern Conference won’t be as understanding. Last week, he showed his group highlights of Malcolm Johnson and Brandon Hill from 2014.
Sallach showed them the video so they would know what is expected of them. He was prompted to do this because of a lack of effort and hustle on every single play in practice.
“I think it was a little bit of an eye-opener,” Sallach said. “There were some heads down and going, ‘Gee, I thought I was playing hard.’ But that was the point of bringing it out. If you’re looking at the same thing, you have nothing to compare it to.”
Co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales also said there is a lack of hustle and effort from his young players on every play, so it’s not something that only the tight ends will have to correct.
Johnson admitted it was different seeing those guys on film, but he was impressed with what he saw.
“We needed to see that to see where we need to be going into these games,” Johnson said. “Seeing how they attacked it every day, how they attack every game and every play, we just need to see that. I’m going to ask them, ‘Can you blast that out to the whole tight end room?’ So if we need to refer to something, we can look at that.
“Coaches preach relentless effort. Once you learn how to do that, you can be unstoppable. Going throughout the week, just making sure, every rep you’re not thinking, you’re just going. You get so comfortable to where you know everything you’re doing, that you just go.”
If you would have asked Johnson last summer if he could envision being the staring tight end in one year, he probably couldn’t. But with a transition to a new position and some misfortune for the Bulldogs, it looks likely.
Johnson feels ready.
“I’ve made a lot of progress,” Johnson said. “I’ve tried to put on a little bit more weight just so I can be comfortable and I know I can be on the inside, hold my own and I can handle my assignment.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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