The fullback has always been the unsung hero of the offense. In fact fullbacks are a dying breed in today’s wide open, pass happy offenses that like to wing it down the field and tally monster yardage totals.
So when Marshall lines up in an I-formation, fullback Devon Johnson has to make the most of his opportunities. The freshman from Richlands, VA has mostly been used as a blocking back on short yardage situations, plowing the way for running backs Remi Watson, Steward Butler and Kevin Grooms but Saturday night Johnson had his number called in the third quarter. Rakeem Cato flipped the ball to his fullback for a nine-yard touchdown pass and Johnson scored his first touchdown with The Herd.
“That was great,” Johnson said grinning after the game. “I was surprised but I’ll take it.”
Johnson, like most fullbacks, isn’t a flashy guy and understands his role in the offense. It’s not to score points or get mentioned in the media.
“I practice all week blocking for my running backs and they’re like brothers to me and I have to protect my brothers,” Johnson said proudly.
And that he does well. When The Herd goes to the I-Formation Johnson leads through the hole and isolates on a linebacker and can give the tailback behind a crease to run through big enough to pick up six or seven yards a pop. That’s exactly what you want to see from a lead blocker. While Johnson takes pride in his role as a lead blocker, he doesn’t mind getting into the endzone every once in a while.
“When I get in there it’s great, but as long as we score that’s all that matters to me. But if I score once or twice that won’t hurt either.”
However, given the choice, Johnson would still like to catch a linebacker looking the wrong way rather than score the touchdown.
“I’d like to throw one of those slobber-knocker blocks,” said Johnson with a smile.
Spoken like a true fullback.
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