(Courtesy of SMU Athletics)
After catching the winning touchdown pass against TCU in overtime on Oct. 1, Jeremy Johnson is staying focused on what lies ahead.
The wide receiver played in both the Northwestern State and Memphis games, but injuries led to Johnson earning his first career start during the Battle of the Iron Skillet. Johnson has been playing football since he was 10 and is a native of Tyler, Texas.
While he hasn’t had much action on the field for the Mustangs, Johnson loves to compete. “If you try to out do me, I’m not going to let you do that,” said Johnson and that is exactly what fans saw during his last performance against the Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
During the game, Johnson had career highs of six receptions, 69 receiving yards and a 19-yard receiving touchdown setting SMUs victory over TCU with the score of 40-33.
“To finally beat them [TCU] felt great, but now we’ve got to look past that at UCF,” Johnson said. “They’re defense is really good and they can hit really good,” Johnson said in regards to what their biggest challenge will be.
As a result of their defense, the Knights have given up the least amount of points in Conference USA this year.
In agreement with Johnson, SMU football head coach June Jones said, “They’re still playing very good defense.”
The Mustangs will be hard at work but Jones has some tricks up his sleeve too, “They do what they do and they always have a few wrinkles for us,” Head coach Jones said. The UCF football teams NFL style defense does not intimidate Johnson.
His prediction for Saturdays’ game is yet another SMU victory. The Mustangs and Knights are scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. at Ford Stadium.
When it comes to playing football Johnsons’ personal goal is always to do everything he can and then some.
“I try to do more than what I’m expected to do,” Johnson said, “I just want to go out there and win.”
This attitude and determination to exceed expectations is part of what drives Johnson to excel and develop as an athlete. The 19-year-old wide receiver has future plans to play in the NFL and coach at the high school level after his career in professional football.
