Lubbock, Texas ? Texas Tech receiver Robert Johnson isn’t on unfamiliar turf, though running passing routes in the Red Raiders’ let-it-all-hang-out aerial offense wasn’t the goal when he came to West Texas.
Johnson had his eyes on being Tech’s quarterback when he transferred from a California junior college last year. And he was none too happy when he got lost the QB competition to Sonny Cumbie, a fifth-year senior who went on to lead the nation in passing.
But now he’s found a new, well, sort of, calling. In his first start for No. 19 Tech, Johnson — a receiver for part of his high school career — caught nine passes for 129 yards and a touchdown, a performance that places him first in the Big 12 and ninth nationally in receiving yards per game.
The guy at the other end of the 47-yard TD, Cody Hodges, said Johnson’s athleticism makes his pass-catching look natural.
“He probably has the best hands on the team,” Hodges said. “He catches every ball, whether it’s in practice or in a game. He’s going to catch hard passes, but he makes the easy catch look just flawless.”
Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 202-pound junior, has adjusted to his new role. But acceptance didn’t come quickly or easily. He was suspended at the end of the season after he and Tech coach Mike Leach clashed over Johnson’s attitude.
“At first, me not playing quarterback, I didn’t want to do it,” Johnson said. “I’m an athlete, so maybe coach Leach saw something in me, so I didn’t complain. I’m out here making plays, so I’m just going to keep on doing what I’m doing.”
Johnson’s comments came Saturday night after Tech’s 56-3 win over Florida International. He was unavailable for interviews this week because Leach prohibits midweek access with all but two Tech players, including Hodges.
Johnson’s time as a quarterback gives him a distinct advantage at receiver, Leach said.
“I think he has the ability to see how it all comes together,” he said. “He may not know exactly what (split end) and (flanker) is, but he knows that this play is designed to come together like this, because he used to have to read that play.
“He’s really got good instincts. If something happens different than how you draw it up, he reacts to it almost ideally a lot of the time.”
