Johnson hopes to live up to ‘storied wide receiver tradition’
Growing up in South Florida, UCF wideout Brandon Johnson gravitated toward superstar NFL receivers like Calvin Johnson or Andre Johnson for inspiration on the football field. Another player he idolized was closer to home: Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson, who happens to be his cousin.
“He’s a great receiver to look up to,” Johnson said of his six-time Pro Bowler family member.
Johnson is in his first season with the Knights, arriving as a graduate transfer from Tennessee in December. The former 3-star Fort Lauderdale prospect spent five seasons with the Volunteers, bringing some much-needed experience to the UCF receivers group.
“I came here for the storied wide receiver tradition,” said Johnson, who has 969 career yards. “Some great wide receivers have come from here before I came here, so I just want to come and try to live up to that legacy.”
UCF has seen a dozen players selected in the NFL draft including Gabe Davis (2019), Tre’Quan Smith (2018), Breshad Perriman (2015), Mike Sims-Walker (2007) and Brandon Marshall (2006). The program has also produced a 1,000yard receiver in three of the past four seasons including Marlon Williams (1,039 yards) last season.
But the departures of Williams, Tre Nixon and Jacob Harris have left the receivers group lacking practical experience.
Sophomores Jaylon Robinson and Ryan O’Keefe are the only returning wideouts who have started a game during their careers with Amari Johnson the only other receiver with a catch last season in the roster.
“I’m excited about the group of guys,” said receivers coach Darrell Wyatt, who is the only holdover from the previous coaching staff. “We’ve got a great mix of guys who’ve made significant plays and have played some significant minutes and some talented newcomers.”
Robinson was the breakout star last season and he figures to play a larger role this season, finishing with 979 yards on 55 catches with six touchdowns. He became the big-play threat, leading the team with 18 plays of 20-plus yards.
“It’s a big spring for me,” Robinson said. “I still have a lot to learn and I need to step up and raise my standards for the guys under me and push them to do good. I’ve got to be a bigger leader this year.
“I’m taking things more seriously, being more mature. I’m going out of my way to do things I wouldn’t have done last year.”
Added Wyatt, “He’s worked on some of the nuances of the position. I’m looking forward to his game to continue to grow and build off an unbelievable 2020 season he had for us.”
O’Keefe also had a breakthrough season for the Knights. He finished with a career-high 391 yards on the season and his 19.55 yards per catch average was the best on the team.
“Ryan O’Keefe is one of the fastest guys on our team, if not in all of college football,” Wyatt said. “He can score from anywhere on the field. He’s just starting to scratch the surface of what he can do as a receiver. I’m looking forward to him having a breakout year for us.”
“He’s more confident now,” added Robinson. “He got some PT [playing time] last year and he’s going to get even more this year.”
The mindset for O’Keefe this spring has been about becoming a better leader, not only among the receivers but on the team as well.
“I feel like I’ve had to take on more of a leadership role, which is something I’m not used to because I had the older guys [around me], but at the end of the day, I’m going to buy in, I’m going to lead and I’m going to do what I can,” O’Keefe said.
Along with Robinson and O’Keefe, Amari Johnson saw significant time in the return game on special teams. There is also Ke’von Ahmad, Jarrad Baker, Justin Menard, Cade Sams, Darius Melton and Stephen Martin. Dionte Marks also joined the team as a transfer from Florida last season.
Brandon Johnson has already made his presence felt during the short time he’s been around the team.
“He’s shown he’s a guy you can count on,” Robinson said. “You throw the ball to him, he’s going to catch it. He’s a veteran guy and you can tell by the way he plays.”