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Ole Miss' Cedric Johnson prepared to step into the void left by Sam Williams and do it 'better'

11by:Jake Thompson•07/21/22•

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Cedric Johnson
Ole Miss defensive lineman Cedric Johnson

The pressure was put on Cedric Johnson in the spring to become the guy who attempts fill the shoes of Sam Williams and be a leader of the Ole Miss defense. Johnson himself is the one who applied that pressure and is ready for all that comes with it.

Johnson is now the one anchoring the defensive line at the defensive end position. The challenge of replacing someone is impossible to do most times but that is not deterring Johnson.

After going through spring practice as one of the top guys, without Williams there to guide the way, Johnson feels more confident than he did in spring when he applied the pressure to himself.

Johnson worked closely with defensive line coach Randall Joyner.

“I feel like the spring went real well,” Johnson said at SEC Media Days on Monday. “Just honed in on some skills. Felt like coach Joyner helped me put together all my techniques. Pass rush-wise to blocking, helping me become a complete player. I feel like it’s going really well.”

As the 2022 football season grows closer Johnson and Williams will not be sharing the same field this fall.

Johnson will of course be back in Oxford at Ole Miss while Williams is over in Texas preparing for his rookie NFL season. The Dallas Cowboys selected Williams in the second round of the NFL Draft in April.

Williams reported to rookie camp earlier this week ahead of the preseason camp beginning in August. Despite the face the two former teammates are miles apart they both still keep in contact as much as possible.

Johnson continues to lean on Williams as he prepares to become the player who is tasked with trying to replace a career season by the latter in 2021.

“(Williams) really isn’t giving advice. He’s already an inspiration,” Johnson said. “He already knows I know what to do. He trusts me to work, put in the work. He knows I’ll put in the. So he’s already trusting me. He’s just really just keep pushing me, telling me, ‘I’m expecting you to be there. I’m waiting on you. You up next.

“It’s a lot of pressure but I mostly put that pressure on myself. I got some big shoes to fill. I can do it and I feel like I can do it better. Sam also feels that way.”

For the defense as a whole it is not just Williams that must be replaced.

From a production and a leadership standpoint Ole Miss will also be without linebacker Chance Campbell. He transferred in from Maryland for a season before opting to cut his college career short and head to the NFL.

The challenge is a heavy one for Johnson but with returning teammates in A.J. Finley and others the confidence is there that they will have the same success the defense had the back half of the 2021 campaign.

Related: Ole Miss defensive lineman Jamond Gordon is embracing his new football life on the EDGE

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