Passion for the game drives TCU star receiver Quentin Johnston
To understand why TCU receiver Quentin Johnston might be a first-round pick in next year’s NFL draft, all you have to do is turn on the film.
Like last year’s victory over California. With TCU trailing 26-21 in the fourth quarter, Johnston caught a curl route from Max Duggan at Cal’s 31-yard line. It was a good for a first down, but Johnston wanted more.
He reeled the ball in, spun to his right and immediately took off as he shook off one tackler with a smooth stutter-step and outran the final defender. It’s rare to find a receiver that’s 6-4 that can move the way Johnston does.
That was far from the only jaw-dropping play he had last season as he was one of the bright spots in a disappointing 5-7 campaign.
Johnston has found himself on numerous preseason watch lists. From the Biletnikoff Award to the Maxwell Award, if there’s a watch list for college football’s top offensive players, Johnston is on it.
In the eyes of head coach Sonny Dykes, he’s only beginning to scratch the surface of his potential and Dykes has challenged his star receiver to reach a new level.
“I think he has tremendous upside and I don’t think he’s anywhere close to becoming the kind of player he can become. That’s our job is to get him there. I’m excited to see what he turns into,” Dykes said. “I want him to be a lot more than just throw the ball up and let’s go let Quentin get it type of guy. I think he can become a lot more than that.”
The highlight plays like his acrobatic catch over Oklahoma corner Joshua Eaton or the one-handed catch in the upset over Baylor will draw the most eyeballs and clicks on social media. But Dykes knows he’s capable of more.
“The really special ones are the guys that can make the big plays, but also make those tough catches on third down and those things that are really important,” Dykes said.
Johnston is focused this offseason on refining areas of his game.
“I focused on high-pointing the ball, finishing my routes. Obviously I had some good catches last year, but at the same time I had a lot of drops that were supposed to be routine plays so I really focused on cleaning things like that up,” Johnston said on the first day of fall camp.
The reviews of Johnston have been glowing. He was one of the standouts from the first preseason scrimmage and caught at least one touchdown from Duggan.
Chandler Morris has also seen a noticeable difference in the junior receiver.
“He’s really improved in the deep ball. He’s really done a great job of improving with catching balls over the shoulder. He made a great play on the ball on (Sunday),” Morris said. “Down the field, 20-plus yards he’s really gotten better. Attacking the zones, because we’re playing against drop eight, he’s finding spots in the zone a lot better.”
Considering Johnston has averaged more than 20 yards per catch in two seasons, the thought of him showing the most improvement in that area is sure to be troublesome for opposing defensive coordinators.
The first team All-Big 12 receiver has been pleased with his growth, but still isn’t satisfied with the gains he’s made so far in fall camp.
“I made a little jump, but I still feel like there’s a surface I still haven’t really reached yet. I’m coming in day in and day out after practice just working on catches, working on high balls and getting my timing right with all the quarterbacks, not just one of them,” Johnston said. “I definitely feel like I’ve improved, but there’s room for more improvement.”
How does he reach the next level? With an intense work ethic that forces him to treat every play like its his last.
“He’s one of those guys that comes out and practices so hard. He’s got a great mentality. We’ve tried to bring him on slow, he’s one of those players that accumulates a lot of work,” Dykes said. “He goes full speed all the time, we’ve been trying to monitor his reps and make sure he gets through fall camp healthy.”
Ever since he was a child, Johnston has always approached his passions with the same burst of energy. They even left him with a few scars.
“The (coaches) literally tell me to stop running. Ever since I was little I remember my dad told me to slow down, just chill we’re stretching right now,” Johnston said. “I was always running around the house, I have a few stories. I sprained my ankle just running around the house for no reason. But it was always in me, being an energetic kid.”
Now much older and maturer, Johnston is breaking the ankles of defenders as opposed to hurting his own.
His passion for the game has only grown stronger as he’s experienced and more success. Along with the impressive speed to go along with his 215-pound frame, it’s the enthusiasm for greatness that could help Johnston reach the lofty goals he’s set for himself.
“That energy translates to the field. I love football. Why not give 110% of your effort to something you love?” Johnston said.
