TCU’s run to the Nationwide Championship Recreation was nothing wanting magical, and far was as a result of efficiency of standout large receiver Quentin Johnston. Being named a first-team All-Large 12 choice in each 2021 and 2022, Johnston is coming off a season through which he caught 60 passes for 1,069 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Johnston is on a trajectory to do one thing particular within the NFL, however is he actually one of many elite receivers on this draft class? It’s time to discover out.
Causes to purchase in to Quentin Johnston
The very first thing that pops out with Johnston is his athleticism. Johnston does a superb job utilizing his mixture of measurement and velocity to get downfield and win on 50/50 balls. He possesses excellent physique management, leaping over and round defenders to make catches with nonetheless sustaining steadiness and staying on his ft to make one thing occur after the catch. This true acrobatic capacity can also be a profit on third downs, as Johnston does an ideal job of preserving his ft in bounds and sustaining ahead momentum to maneuver the chains on passes close to the road to realize.
One other intriguing facet of Johnston’s recreation is his route-running capacity. Whereas it will not be on the extent of the opposite first-round receivers on this draft (i.e. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Zay Flowers, Jordan Addison), his agility and elusiveness is quite spectacular for a receiver his measurement. He ran a considerably restricted route tree in TCU’s offense, however his cuts had been sometimes clear and fast for a giant receiver.
Different intriguing traits embrace a big catch radius, top-notch ball expertise, and phenomenal consciousness. Johnston at all times appears to pay attention to the present scenario, and his accuracy in judgment of the ball when within the air permits him to readjust on the soccer and put his physique in place to make a catch.
Causes for concern with Quentin Johnston
Johnston could not have a bunch of completely different points, however the few points he has are quite prevalent. Essentially the most talked about subject with Quentin is his arms. He struggled with drops all through his collegiate profession, a lot of that are resulting from poor focus. He typically turns his head upfield earlier than securing the catch, and his hand positioning is the slightest bit off at instances. Johnston additionally wants to chop again on the physique catches and belief his arms extra.
One other concern I’ve with Johnston is his lack of velocity in the beginning of his route. He doesn’t have an ideal first step off the road, and it typically takes him a pair steps to essentially speed up. I’m additionally not impressed along with his physicality as a run blocker. A receiver along with his measurement ought to be capable of win the battle for leverage and achieve management of a defender quite simply, however he lacks deception and steadiness as a blocker on the boundary.
Quentin Johnston’s spotlight tape
2023 NFL Mix outcomes for Quentin Johnston
Whereas Johnston didn’t take part in all of the drills on the mix, he made positive to impress in what he did take part in. Measuring in at 6’3, 208 lbs, with 33 5/8-inch arms and 9 5/8-inch arms, Johnston recorded a 40 1/2-inch vertical and a 134-inch broad soar. He didn’t run the 40, however contemplating how typically he pulls away from defenders down the sphere on tape, velocity was not a serious concern for him.
What others are saying about Quentin Johnston
Here’s what Mel Kiper needed to say about Johnston in a January scouting report:
I believed Johnston was going to have an enormous season, however then he had simply 12 catches for 114 yards and no scores in his first 4 video games. After that gradual begin, nonetheless, he was stellar. He completed the season with 60 catches for 1,069 yards and 6 scores. He towers over defenders and runs via them — he’s large after the catch. As I wrote in October, Johnston wins contested soar balls with ease and has a uncommon size and velocity mixture. He torched Michigan within the School Soccer Playoff semifinals with six catches for 163 yards and this lengthy landing.
In the end, I see Johnston as one of many larger boom-or-bust prospects on the large receiver place. Nevertheless, the danger could also be value it, as his bodily skills are among the many greatest within the class. If he can positive up his arms and enhance his focus, he may very well be one of many actually elite receivers within the league.
