PULLMAN — After playing behind two NFL running backs, and possibly a third, in four seasons at South Dakota State, Angel Johnson is primed to be the lead running back this season for Washington State.
Based on what he has done in a reserve role the past few seasons, Johnson certainly seems ready for a starring role.
As a third-year junior in 2023, Johnson rushed for 381 yards — averaging 8.9 yards per carry — and five touchdowns. Last year, he rushed for 646 yards and averaged 7.1 yards per carry.
Johnson, who won South Dakota high school titles in the 100 meters, 200, the long jump and the 4×100 relay, had touchdowns of at least 65 yards rushing, receiving and on a kickoff return.
What should Cougar fans expect from Johnson?
“I want to say I’m a versatile back,” said the 5-foot-9, 192-pound Johnson, who set the state high school meet record with a mark of 23-2 3/4 in the long jump. “I want to show that I can do it all, that I can run between the tackles, I can run outside, I can catch the ball out of the backfield and I can hit the home runs. I’m a speedster and I take pride in that.”
WSU coach Jimmy Rogers not only got Johnson to join him when he left South Dakota State, but also two other running backs, Kirby Vorhees and Maxwell Woods.
Also in the mix for playing time is Leo Pulalasi, who rushed for 302 yards last year for WSU, including a season-high 61 against Syracuse in the Holiday Bowl.
With Johnson, the Cougars have a running back who can change games with big plays.
“He’s a selfless player who will put his body on the line in order to have success, and he is a dynamic player,” Rogers said.
Johnson, who said he will get his degree in social sciences this fall, has learned from some outstanding running backs.
When Johnson was a true freshman at South Dakota State, Pierre Strong Jr. was an All-American running back there and now plays with the Cleveland Browns after being drafted in the fourth round.
The next two seasons, Johnson was behind another All-American, Isaiah Davis, now with the New York Jets after being drafted in the fifth round. Last season he was behind Amar Johnson, who is making a strong case to make the Green Bay Packers roster after going undrafted.
What did Johnson learn from them?
“Just the attention to detail that they have and their work ethic,” Johnson said. “They were all in the position that they were in from coming in and doing things the right way.
“(Davis) was a unique guy. He took everybody in in a really special way, and he helped elevate his game that way. Pierre, when I came in, was pretty solidified and you knew what his next steps were going to be in his career. But I saw the leadership — not so much a vocal leader, but how much he led by example, going on the field and being that guy. Amar, he had a little bit of swagger to him, so that’s something I can take away, to have that confidence on the field and go out and do what I need to do.”
Johnson’s goal is to join his former teammates in the NFL, and he knows a good season in his final college year will help his chances of achieving that. He said it wasn’t a hard decision to join Rogers in Pullman, which he said reminds him of Brookings, where South Dakota State is located.
“They took a chance on me back coming out of high school, and they worked hard to develop me,” Johnson said.
Most of WSU’s running backs will be unfamiliar to Cougar fans, but Johnson said “we’re a good unit.”
“We’re very confident in what we can do, and we hold ourselves to a high standard,” he said. “Coach (Rogers) holds us to a high standard, and then our position coach (Donnell Kirkwood Jr.) holds us to a high standard as well.”
As for personal goals, Johnson said he would like to rush for 1,000 yards.
He said he is also putting a high priority on being a team leader, on and off the field.
“I want to be a reliable back, be the guy that they can go to when we need a first down. I want to be that guy for the team, play my part, and provide for the team. It’s a new opportunity. I’m blessed to be here, and I’m excited to show what I can do.”
Scott Hanson: shanson@seattletimes.com.