DJ Johnson emerges as disruptive force during Oregon's spring game

It’s no secret that Oregon is going to need a few edge rushers to emerge in 2022 if it wants to live up to its lofty defensive standards.

With Kayvon Thibodeaux having departed for the NFL, the Ducks are working to fill the shoes of one of the top defensive playmakers in the country, and arguably one of the best edge rushers in program history.

The question facing Dan Lanning and Tosh Lupoi now is: how will they go about replacing Thibodeaux’s presence and production?

During the Ducks’ spring game on Saturday, senior DJ Johnson took it upon himself to answer that question.

After splitting time at tight end and edge rusher last season, Johnson wasn’t particularly productive on either side of the ball in 2021. This spring though, the sixth-year senior has moved back to defense full-time and has drawn rave reviews from coaches and teammates alike.

If Saturday was any indicator Johnson could be set for a major breakout in 2022.

While playing with Oregon’s Green team, Johnson recorded 7.0 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks during the spring game. While operating at edge rusher for a Green defense that also featured standout performances from linebacker Jackson LaDuke and safety JJ Greenfield, Johnson stole the show in front of 42,000 fans.

He caused headaches for Oregon’s offensive line all afternoon and never allowed quarterbacks Jay Butterfield and Bo Nix to get comfortable.

Afterward, Oregon coach Dan Lanning delivered some lofty praise toward Johnson.

“I think DJ can be one of the best players in the conference,” Lanning said. “I see him develop every single day, day in and day out. One of the best players in the nation if he continues to push himself to the level he’s capable of.”

Last season, Johnson recorded 11 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack in 11 games. He also caught one pass for 11 yards.

Now, though, Lanning and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi have identified Johnson as a player who can be a difference-maker on defense.

Earlier this spring, Lupoi complimented Johnson’s willingness to do whatever the team needed him to do last season and play multiple positions. But he also said he knew immediately that Johnson could be a special defensive player.

“After evaluating the film, the day we decided to take this job, that was certainly going to change in my opinion,” Lupoi said of Johnson playing both offense and defense. “As long as the head coach signed off on that, I wanted DJ to play defense. I think he’s got the right mindset and mentality. … I’ve been really impressed with how he’s attacked the process, especially the mental aspect of the defense.”

If Lanning’s final comments about Johnson on Saturday are any indicator, it’s very possible that the best is yet to come for him as a defensive disruptor.

“I’m excited to see what he did today,” Lanning said. “But he has that growth mindset. He’s gotta go say, ‘Okay, what can I do better? How can improve on where I’m at and not be satisfied?’ Which I think DJ will do.”