Johnson springs into offseason
This spring, a new sight is on the blue turf of Bronco Stadium. Ian Johnson, the standout senior running back, who missed last year of spring ball due to ailing injuries, is back in full force and ready to help the Broncos.
Last December after BSU lost to East Carolina in the Sheriton Hawaii Bowl, it meant that the season was over for the Broncos.
But for Johnson, it meant time to recuperate and get stronger for next season, which is exactly what he's been doing.
One of his main goals during this off-season was to get stronger and gain some weight.
That was a concern that he received from the NFL advisory committee earlier this year when he asked them about his draft value and what round he might go.
Right now Johnson weights 202 pounds, eight pounds more than he did at the end of the season last year.
He is still on the path to gain more weight, though.
He wants to weigh 210 pounds when the season starts in the fall.
"That's the goal, so there's a lot of hard work to go," Ian Johnson said.
One of the other reasons Johnson is trying to gain more weight is to help him stay healthy and injury free.
"One thing that has always not been a fault, but it has come up, is that I don't have much body fat," Johnson said. "…and it does lead to the possibility of internal injuries."
During the past two seasons he has suffered many injuries, including a bruised kidney which kept him out of action for two games last season.
One of the other ways Johnson is trying to bulk up, is by increasing his calorie intake. He said that he is currently on a 9,000-calorie-a-day diet. So far this spring, however, the improvements and progress Johnson has been making have been noticeable.
"He's been doing great in the weight room, putting on a few pounds and becoming a step faster in his 40, all the little details to start to make a good player great," BSU Head Coach Chris Petersen said.
The other running backs are also driving Johnson to improve this season. Last season, sophomores Jeremy Avery, D.J. Harper and Jarvis Hodge emerged as threats for opposing defenses.
Avery had the best performance out of the three, running for 603 yards and eight rushing touchdowns.
He was also the primary backup for Johnson, who ended the season with 1,030 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.
Harper and Hodge also put together fine first seasons. Harper ended the season with 373 yards and five touchdowns, while Hodge rushed for 135 yards and one touchdown.
"The most important thing is that we have some good running backs to push Ian, so Ian is even being pushed now," Petersen said. "I think the healthy competition is good for everybody."
Another tailback that enters the mix this season is Doug Martin. Last season he was named the Broncos' offensive scout player of the year in his red shirt season at BSU.
Despite all the competition, Coach Petersen is happy to have all of the running backs healthy and participating in spring ball.
"It's good to get Ian healthy, not to get him beat up, but to get him close to game shape," Petersen said. "The nice thing is that we have backs to go with him, so we won't have to use every down this spring."
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