By Steve Habel, Senior Contributing Writer
AUSTIN, Texas — Roschon Johnson came to Texas in the spring as an early enrollee to hone his skills and fight with Casey Thompson for playing time at quarterback behind Longhorns starter Sam Ehlinger.
How things have changed. Now it’s likely, even probable, that[s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)] Johnson will see 20 or more snaps beside Ehlinger Saturday when the ninth-ranked Longhorns host No. 6 LSU in a marquee early-season dustup at Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
No, Texas has not decided to employ a two-quarterbacks-at-the-same-time attack to try to beat the Bayou Bengals.
Because of injuries to four running backs in either preseason camp or in the season-opener, Johnson will be the Longhorns’ backup at the position for the foreseeable future, despite never playing running back until a week before the season-opening win over Louisiana Tech.
“[Johnson] has done a great job,” Texas offensive coordinator Tim Beck said. “He’s an incredible athlete … and [it is] very selfless right now, what he’s doing.”
Johnson, a true freshman, will be the next man up behind Texas sophomore starter Keaontay Ingram at the spot. Johnson was moved up from the third string when freshman phenom Jordan Whittington was ruled out for at least the next four weeks with a sports hernia. Johnson carried seven times for 26 yards in the victory over Louisiana Tech.
“I’m glad Roschon was here this spring for the physical development as well as learning the offense,” Texas coach Tom Herman said Monday. “Roschon knew protections — at quarterback, you have to know it all, so he did that. He played really well [against Louisiana Tech] for the limited minutes that he got. He will certainly get a lot more this week.”
Ingram, who suffered a bone bruise to his knee in UT’s first preseason scrimmage, said he will play Saturday at 100 percent. As for the other running backs, Ingram shook his head and smiled Tuesday when asked about all the injuries to the unit.
“God [is] doing something in that room — we just don’t know what it is,” Ingram said. “Maybe he’s trying to bring us closer together.”
Johnson has taken to his new position quickly, and he has the speed and toughness to be more than just a seat-holder in the run game.
He has been clocked by the Texas staff at running 21 miles per hour, and his fast-twitch ability and vision from his prep days as a three-year starter at a dual-threat quarterback at All-American at Port Neches-Groves (where he ran for almost 4,900 yards) are skills to be respected.
“He’s tough,” Herman added. “I have no doubt that he will play well, regardless of the competition, just because he’s that fierce of a competitor.”
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