Dillon

Johnson

As the leading rusher for the Pac-12 champion Washington Huskies in 2023, Johnson (6’0/217) totaled 233 carries for 1,195 yards and 16 touchdowns. He added 24 receptions for 190 yards receiving, getting the opportunity to start for the Huskies after transferring from Mississippi State, where he spent his first three college seasons. Johnson is known for his physical runs and was able to handle higher volume in the Washington offense as a senior. At the combine, Johnson ran a 4.68 40-yard dash and 1.62 10-yard split, ranking second-to-last and last amongst running backs in those categories. His slower profile will make it difficult for teams to see him as a three-down back. Still, Johnson’s physicality can provide short-yardage value in the NFL.

Johnson (6'0/180) may play running back within the Air Raid offense, but it’s a more important role than it lets on to be. Even in a pass-happy offense that doesn’t run the ball a ton, running backs very much factor into the short passing game. When called upon to do that and carry the ball in limited fashion, Johnson has fit the bill on the versatility coaches within this scheme look for. Because of that, it’s not necessarily surprising he was named to the Doak Walker Award watch list earlier this week. The honor is presented annually to the best player at the position in college football. His fellow rusher, Jo’quavious Marks, was named to the same watch list. That makes Mississippi State the only program in the SEC to have multiple running backs on the watch list.

Johnson (6'0/180) suffered suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter, left the field with trainers and did not return. With no update on Johnson’s status right now, we will wait to hear more on his injury throughout the week. Johnson has rushed 54 times on the season for 248 yards and three touchdowns, while also catching 41 passes for 254 yards.

Johnson (6'0"/180) also caught four passes for 30 yards. With Kentucky’s offense as inept as it was, and Mississippi State QB Will Rogers as brilliant as he was, there wasn’t much for Johnson and fellow RB Jo’quavious Marks to do but finish off drives and that’s exactly what they did. They combined for the first three Bulldog scores, from 7,9 and 1 yard away. They rolled through mostly untouched on all three runs, as the Bulldog’s line handled their defensive counterparts with relative ease, which they did all game. It wasn’t a flashy game for either guy, who combined to average 3.2 yards per carry, but hey, they got the job done when they needed to. They take on Arkansas next week.

Johnson also contributed as a receiver; catching seven passes for 42 yards. The 6-foot, 215-pound tailback gave the Bulldogs a 10-7 lead with a four-yard stroll into the end zone, and then tied the game at 24-24 in the third quarter with a three-yard plunge. Johnson is a four-star recruit that was praised for his versatility, and he’s now scored three times in the last two games. Don’t be surprised if he’s just as involved on Saturday in the Egg Bowl against Mississippi.

Marks (5'10/195), who left last weekend’s loss at Alabama early due to a head injury, was responsible for one of the Bulldogs’ two rushing touchdowns with Dillon Johnson scoring the other on a four-yard run. For most teams the loss of your best back (Kylin Hill) would free up additional opportunities on the ground for the remaining rushers, but that isn’t the case at Mississippi State due to Mike Leach’s “Air Raid” attack. Marks, who also caught seven passes for 22 yards, and Johnson will look to get what they can with the few rushing opportunities that they receive.

One week after HC Mike Leach said following the Bulldogs’ 24-2 loss at Kentucky that not everyone was buying into his program, the team’s most talented offensive player will be on the sideline. Hill (5'11/215) is reportedly serving a one-game suspension due to his actions in the aftermath of that defeat. The senior running back, who suffered a concussion earlier this season, was a first team all-SEC performer in 2019. Hill’s absence opens up opportunities for players such as Jo’quavious Marks, Dillon Johnson and Kareem Walker.

Hill (5'11/215) was on the receiving end of a hard hit, and after being evaluated in the medical tent he was seen on the sideline without his helmet. That doesn’t bode well for the senior running back’s chances of making a return, as team trainers usually take a player’s helmet after they’ve been pulled due to a head injury. Dillon Johnson is next in line at running back for the Bulldogs, who will throw the ball plenty in Mike Leach’s “Air Raid” offense.

Johnson (6'0/180) announced his commitment to Mississippi State in late June, and it remains to be seen what position he’ll play in college. The good news for the Bulldogs is that the four-star athlete has the tools needed to be an impact addition at multiple positions. “Johnson could play wide receiver, running back, defensive back or even be a smaller linebacker. His versatility is intriguing,” Farrell wrote in his analysis. Regardless of which position Johnson plays, he’s a high-level, in-state prospect that Mississippi State needed to keep home and they got the job done.

Johnson (6'0/180) was trumpeting Arkansas as his leader in the clubhouse as of late May and had shown strong interest in both Missouri and Oregon, but the Greenville, Mississippi, native ultimately decided to keep his talents in state. While the versatile athlete has upside at any number of positions, including defensive back and wide receiver, the Bulldogs are viewing him as a future running back. Rivals ranks Johnson as the No. 4 prospect in the state of Mississippi in the 2020 class. With Johnson in the fold, Mississippi State is now up to a hearty 21 pledges for the cycle.