FB Dionte' Johnson (official thread)

[Bucky Katt]

Former LB Pepper Johnson's son.

[kippy1040]

Thanks BuckyKatt. Ohio State sure is having sucess in getting
sons of OSU football to carry on in thier footsteps huh? Thats great to hear.

[BearBuck27]

Originally Posted by coxew

I've heard the same thing. A few weeks ago Tressel was asked about Dionte and he said something along the lines of when he's in the game, someone's going to get hit, whether it's the offense or defense, he'll hit someone.

It was something along the lines of "When DJ is in the game, somebody is going to get hit. 80% of the time it's the defense and 20% it's the offense, but you know he'll hit someone."

You got the gist of it across, but I wanted to pad my post count.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

It was nice to see Johnson get his first action this season against Iowa, its funny that the first game we have a lot of success running the ball is the first game he plays in.....hmmmm.

[Buckskin86]

http://www.thisweeknews.com/?sec=hom...ts-288015.html

[Cornerback6]

With SW Jr. gone, does Dionte start next year or does the younger perhaps more versatile Olson take the 1st string spot?

What's your thoughts? I personally like the thought of a FB who is versatile/agile enough to carry the ball a few times a game and be a legitimate threat in that way. At the same time, I will always prefer the FB who will take on anyone in a hole and destroy them with reckless abandon. That being said, I wonder if Dionte will start next year with all his experience or will Aram take the job with his H.S. running abilities.

[billmac91]

I was pretty shocked at the lack of PT Dionte got this year, especailly after last year...he's a great lead blocker, and I imagine he'll see tons of PT with Chris Wells in the backfield next year

[BuckTwenty]

No brainer. Dionte.

There are quite a few people on this board (myself included) that thought that DJ was actually better than Stan White, who was starting. No doubt Aram will get some PT this year, but Dionte will start and get the majority of the playing time at FB by a long shot.

[Cornerback6]

Originally Posted by BuckTwenty

No brainer. Dionte.

Aram will get some PT this year, but Dionte will start and get the majority of the playing time at FB.

I think the odds are Dionte' will get nearly all the PT, but...I don't think it's a no brainer considering what Olson did in high school with his running legs and not just blocking. We'll see. It always helps to have that one extra weapon coming out of the backfield and who knows, next year we might need just that.

[Oneshot]

Aram had the nastiest pure run-blocking I've ever seen on tape.

Granted, it was a HS tape, but man that was fun to watch.

[TheStoicPaisano]

Originally Posted by BuckTwenty

No brainer. Dionte.

There are quite a few people on this board (myself included) that thought that DJ was actually better than Stan White, who was starting. No doubt Aram will get some PT this year, but Dionte will start and get the majority of the playing time at FB by a long shot.

I just think White is better with the ball in his hands and he was versatile enough to hold down a third TE spot in a jumbo formation, where Dionte came in. I believe he's gone on record as not even wanting possession.

I think it will be all Dionte all the time this year in front of Beanie in the I, with a healthy Brandon Smith or Andy Miller coming in as the third tight end. I think Aram cuts his teeth on coverage units and in blowouts before taking over in 2008.

[dozerbuck]

Um...Don't be surprised if Austin Spitler gets PT at FB.

Dionte started his freshman year because of the lack of FB talent on the team and the fact he was a pretty big boy, and then Stan White moved positions and started the next two years. He allowed for more flexibilty in play calling as was mentioned before. Spitler reminds me a lot of White....really good athlete with good size and both came to OSU as LB's. However, Spitler does have better LB skills than SW Jr ever had...but there is a lot of talent at LB, as everyone knows.

Olsen will be on special teams I am assuming but you never know....a lot of other guys looking to hit the field on coverage teams this year...quite a few safeties and more than few LB's.

Just somethings i have heard

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Bucknuts.com (Free)

OSU Fullback Johnson Has Some Big Plans by Steve Helwagen.

[DaddyBigBucks]

Originally Posted by OSUBasketballJunkie

Bucknuts.com (Free)

OSU Fullback Johnson Has Some Big Plans by Steve Helwagen.

Among past seniors that Dionte mentions was Nuge. Truly incredible to hear a fullback give a kicker that kind of respect.

[Buckskin86]

Ball is just a rumor to fullback
Blocking back Johnson hoping to get some carries this season
Monday, August 13, 2007 3:33 AM
By Ken Gordon

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The question to Dionte Johnson was: How many touches do you think Ohio State's fullbacks will get this season?

Johnson leaned forward and spoke earnestly.

"We're going to send this straight to Coach, right?" he asked.

He leaned back and puffed his chest out.

"We're going to shoot for 400 for the year, 400 touches," he said.

Uh, Dionte, to which coach were you referring? Woody Hayes, maybe? Certainly not to Jim Tressel, under whom fullback sightings have been few and far between.

Supposedly, the team will feature more two-back sets this season, but recent history doesn't bode well for Johnson seeing much of the ball.

The starter last season, Stan White Jr., left the program with zero carries in 47 career games (he did have 11 catches).

Johnson is a senior, and his only touches came as a freshman in 2004, when he had four carries and two receptions.

A Buckeyes fullback hasn't carried the ball since Matt Daniels gained 2 yards late in a blowout win over Northwestern on Nov. 12, 2005. Fifteen OSU games have been played since.

Johnson knows that. It's why after making his bold pronouncement, he relaxed and laughed heartily.

"Sorry, I'm just playing with you," he said. "We always shoot high."

The Columbus Dispatch : Ball is just a rumor to fullback