Montrell Johnson bounces back from early fumble
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — It’s easy to forget that Montrell Johnson is just 19 years old. With legs the size of tractor tires and biceps that appear to big to properly secure a football high and tight, he already has the body of an NFL running back.
Johnson wasn’t highly recruited out of De La Salle High School. Billy Napier was amazed that he was able to recruit and land Johnson at Louisiana and it didn’t take long to realize what he had.
“We shouldn’t have had him at Louisiana, truth be told,” Napier said after the game. “I can remember the second scrimmage in training camp at Louisiana. He’s a true freshman and he wore No. 25 and I wrote it on my sheet, ‘25 is a guy.’”
Johnson, indeed, was a guy at Louisiana. As a true freshman in 2021, he led the team in rushing touchdowns (12) and was second on the team in rushing yards (838). He averaged more than five yards a carry and was named Sun Belt Freshman of the Year.
Johnson didn’t start against Utah, that distinction went to Nay’Quan Wright. But he did get in on the first drive. In his very first game, and on his very first carry, he broke left, ran over a defener but coughed up the football. Utah’s R.J. Hubert scooped the ball up and took it 47-yards down the field to set up the Utes’ first touchdown.
“I was kind of a little bit frustrated with myself,” Johnson said after the game. “My teammates came to pick me up and make sure I was alright. They just told me it’s a long game to play and I stepped up to the occasion.”
Johnson redeems the turnover
Johnson’s first rush showed his potential. He barreled over a defender and kept his feet moving. As the Utes converged and he fought for more yards, the ball was yanked from his grasp.
Johnson returned to the sideline dejected. A feeling only magnified when the Utes scored five plays later.
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Johnson had made a mistake trying to be aggressive. His head coach wouldn’t throw him in the dog house for it. He was back on the field two drives later. Johnson caught a pass for 14 yards and almost scored. He would find the end zone in the fourth quarter. Johnson led the Gators with 12 carries. He trailed only Anthony Richardson in yards. Most importantly, the underrecruited kid from New Orleans proved he belonged on this stage.
“My first career game in The Swamp was amazing,” he said. “I ain’t gonna lie. It’s amazing to hear 90,000-plus screaming for you and cheering for you.”
Even in the glow of the win. With a sound system blaring music from the Gators’ locker room, Richardson put Johnson back in his place.
“He owes us. We’re gonna roll him and Trevor,” Richardson said with a laugh. “They gotta get some punishment for their ball security. Shout out to those guys for keeping it pushing.”
Next week in practice, Johnson will line up horizontally on the goal line. A whistle will blow and he’ll have to roll the length of the field. It’s a task that can be nausea inducing. It’s, apparently, the punishment for losing the ball. He can do it with a smile though. Florida got a win over a top-10 team and the 19-year old played a huge role in that.
