Auburn RB Kerryon Johnson goes through walk-through drills. Matthew Stevens
ATLANTA – Since his major shoulder and abdomen issue at the end of this 2017 season, Kerryon Johnson has adopted a very simple attitude.
While some players might try to get through bowl practices half speed in order to be guarantee their full health for the upcoming game, Johnson has felt the need to already fully test himself.
“Coming off an injury, you have to convince yourself that if I can’t do it now (in practice) then I won’t do it in a game,” Johnson said. “That’s the thought that has been reoccurring in my head is if I can move, cut or play the way I want to play then what good am I?”
When asked directly on Twitter two weeks ago, Johnson made it sound more obvious that he’d be active and the starter at running back when Auburn (10-3) takes the field against Central Florida (12-0) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (11 a.m. CST, ESPN). The Tigers leading rusher and Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year reiterated that he was feeling closer to fully healthy since suffering severe injuries to his shoulder and abdomen area in the victory over Alabama in the Iron Bowl.
“I’ll firmly say I’m 100 percent,” Johnson said. “I've been running like my old self and making moves like my old self. It's giving me confidence and making me happy, and I'm ready to see what I can do in the real game now.”
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Johnson led the league with 1,320 rushing yards and led Auburn with 17 touchdowns as the Tigers finished the 2017 season with a Western Division championship and the program’s first berth in the SEC Championship Game since 2013. However, it’s the memories of a disappointing effort of just 44 yards on 13 carries with a fumble in the third quarter in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game loss to Georgia after being hampered with injuries.
“At the end of the day, nobody walks into that SEC Championship Game one hundred percent healthy because everybody has got something wrong with them,” Johnson said. “The long layoff has really helped me get back to my old self.”
Johnson was seen in the post-game locker room after the SEC title game with a flack jacket taped to his midsection to protect his ribs. After the 28-7 loss to Georgia, Johnson, who confirmed after the loss to Georgia that his injury was mostly to his shoulder, suggested he should’ve taken himself out of play for a healthier option.
“There were times I probably should’ve manned up and told the coaches ‘hey I’m not okay’ and let Kam (Martin) do his thing or Malik (Miller) do his thing. It’s too late to change it now but the team and my teammates understand my competitive mindset.”
Malzahn said Wednesday following a practice session at Georgia Tech’s facility that “we’ll be smart with those (injured) guys” but confirmed Johnson will likely play and start in the game on New Year’s Day. In the following day after that Malzahn media conference, Johnson removed the orange non-contact jersey for the Thursday practice session.
“He had a good practice while he was there,” Malzahn said Wednesday. “He looked good again today. Like I said before, he’s going to play. I’m hoping he’ll be as close to 100 percent as he can.”
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Johnson, a third-year player, confirmed he submitted the paperwork as one of the five players that Auburn submitted as possible early entry draft candidates for scouting review to the NFL’s College Advisory Committee.
“After this game is my timetable to make a decision,” Johnson said. “It takes too much to focus on game-by-game in the Southeastern Conference and then for a bowl game before you start thinking about that.”
Johnson said he hasn’t spoken to the other draft-eligible players on the roster that includes defensive end/linebacker Jeff Holland, cornerback Carlton Davis, quarterback Jarrett Stidham and tailback Kamryn Pettway.
“You could to them but what are you going to say? What will you say? If you say ‘I think you should go’ but I’m not him. I could say ‘I think you should stay’ but again I’m not him.” Johnson said. “All of us come from different backgrounds. It sounds like a cliché but what do you want to do? Do you love playing Auburn? I love playing here, love this school, love these coaches, love these teammates and love everything about it. You have to weigh that against future opportunities. You just want to make sure whichever way you go, it’s a hundred percent.”