By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post Sports
HAYS, Kan. — The Fort Hays State University football program has a long tradition of producing standout linebackers. The latest in that lineage is John Johnson.
Despite missing three games due to injury last season, the Dodge City native was third on the team in tackles with 63 and was named Second Team All-MIAA. The season prior, Johnson led the Tigers with 89 tackles, which was third-most in the MIAA, earning him First Team All-MIAA honors and a D2CCA All-Super Region 3 Second Team selection.
Johnson believes the experienced defensive line can help carry the load while the secondary gains more game experience.
"We're aggressive. We all have the same goal, you know, get to the ball," Johnson said. "We've been working this summer, we've been executing right, we have a chance to go pretty far."
Johnson's career has been hampered by injuries. After playing in all 11 games as a freshman, he was limited to just two games his sophomore year. Following a full 11-game season as a junior in 2023, he missed three games last season.
Now healthy, Johnson's primary goal is to stay on the field.
"Just staying healthy, that's the biggest goal. I'm an old guy, you know what I mean. Staying healthy is a big thing," Johnson said. "The trainers here are awesome, they know what they're doing. I'm blessed to be able to say I'm healthy."
During the offseason, Johnson focused on improving one specific area of his game.
"My open-field tackling," he said. "That's the biggest emphasis I had over the summer. Get that one-on-one in space."