Tyron Johnson finding his footing in OSU offense
STILLWATER — The Tyron Johnson Fan Club was pumping its collective fist with every big play the Oklahoma State receiver made in Saturday’s 62-52 loss to Oklahoma.
That included his big gain in the first half and his two fourth-quarter touchdown receptions, the second of which got the Cowboys within a score of the Sooners at 55-52 in the closing minutes.
With James Washington’s status still unknown regarding the ankle injury he suffered in the Bedlam game, Johnson could be in line for a bigger role when the Cowboys visit Iowa State at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The buzz around Johnson has been evident since the five-star recruit transferred from LSU before last season. It grew more as he showed off his playmaking ability in the spring and kept going into August.
When his first reception in OSU orange went for 44 yards and a touchdown, the hype machine was maxed out.
But Johnson’s impact cooled quickly. His yardage totals dropped. He got suspended for the Pitt game. He didn’t catch a pass against TCU.
In a hope to get him more involved, coaches moved Johnson to an inside receiver spot before the trip to Texas Tech, but it was difficult for him to pick up on the fly. Back on the outside for Bedlam, his skills were on full display.
“He had played outside all spring and all fall camp, and then they moved him inside,” quarterback Mason Rudolph said. “He was kind of lost for a little bit. It was a hard adjustment for him, learning a completely new world.
“He’s obviously a lot more comfortable outside. That’s where he fits best in the rhythm of the game.”
Early in Bedlam, Johnson got his number called on a double-move route that left him open for a 60-yard gain, setting the stage for the biggest game of his career — four catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns.
The two TDs came after Washington went out, and provided the Cowboys’ only second-half points.
“During the week, Coach (Kasey) Dunn told me that was the game I was gonna have to show up,” Johnson said. “It was important for me and for the team, in a critical moment, that the team needed me to step up.”
Washington’s ankle will be evaluated through the week to gauge his availability for Saturday. Even if Washington plays, Johnson could still have opportunities to make in impact.
Above all, it appears Johnson is finding his footing, both within the program and within the offense.
“I think it was evident that he was going to make some early in the year, but we hadn’t gotten the ball back to him much,” coach Mike Gundy said. “He is maturing and learning our culture. He had a little bump earlier in the year, kind of forgot where he was at a certain point, but he’s back on the road and is 100 percent in.
“As long as he continues to buy into our culture and system, he’s going to make a lot of plays for us before he gets a chance to go to the next level.”