Tulsa Player to Watch, Day 2: Damaris Johnson

Originally Published: Feb 15, 2010 12:4 AM CDT

Also on Oklahoma Sports:
-OSU Player to Watch, Day 2: Markelle Martin
-OU Player to Watch, Day 2: Stephen Good

Andrew Topps
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

WR/KR/PR Damaris Johnson

Background:

Johnson is the biggest weapon Tulsa has on its roster. He led the nation in all-purpose yards and is a scoring threat every time he touches the ball. He was also a Freshman All-American in 2008.

Why He’s on the List:

Johnson had a bit of a sophomore slump, but that is because he set the bar extremely high in his first season. He racked up the yards, however, that did not always translate to points. Johnson scored just four touchdowns in 2009, nearly a third of his total from the previous season.

Best Case Scenario:

He keeps racking up the yards and finds the end zone more often. In order for Johnson to regain his elite playmaker status he must cross the goal line significantly more than four times. After going through a “down year”, Johnson figures out a way to either regain his old form or become a new and improved all-purpose player.

Worst Case Scenario:

Teams may have finally figured out how to keep Johnson under wraps. At 5-foot-8, 170-pounds, he is very small for a D-I receiver even in Conference USA. Other squads may start being more physical with him or double-teaming him without the emergence of another receiver. Teams might also stop kicking to him in the return game which would diminish his capacity even more.

My Take:

Johnson needs another receiver to step-up in order to take pressure off of him. He was the top target teams game-planned for and it showed in the scoring stats. Johnson finished with more receptions and receiving yardage than the next two Hurricane players combined, but was fourth in touchdowns. Johnson is still dangerous, but in order for him to find the end zone more, TU will have to find a second offensive weapon.

Other Tulsa players to watch (click on the links below to read the full story)
Day 1: QB G.J. Kinne