Photo by: Rob Moseley/GoDucks.com
Football Practice Report: Dec. 16
12/16/18 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
The Ducks were in full pads Sunday, and the defense welcomed the presence of outside linebacker D.J. Johnson, who will make his UO debut in the Redbox Bowl on Dec. 31.
Venue: Moshofsky Center
Format: Full pads
Throughout this past fall, outside linebacker D.J. Johnson regularly found himself lined up opposite UO starting quarterback Justin Herbert.
So when they faced off Sunday in a practice for the Redbox Bowl, it was nothing new — except for one distinct difference. After spending the regular season with the scout-team defense, Johnson was with the No. 1 defense for a few reps Sunday, including a handful against Herbert and the No. 1 offense during a "good on good" practice period.
Upon the conclusion of the University of Oregon's fall quarter, earlier this month, Johnson completed an academic year of residency with the Ducks, clearing him to see the field after transferring from Miami (Fla.). And because a new NCAA rule allows for limited participation while preserving redshirt status, Johnson has been cleared to play in the Redbox Bowl, against Michigan State on New Year's Eve (noon, FOX), while still maintaining redshirt sophomore status for 2019.
"It feels good," Johnson said following Sunday's practice, the Ducks' third of this postseason. "I put the work in to help the team in practice. Now I have the chance to help the team win a game."
A defensive end at Miami, Johnson has practiced as an edge player at Oregon this season. He plays the Justin Hollins defensive position primarily, generally as an outside linebacker aligned to the boundary.
"We recruited him for a reason," UO coach Mario Cristobal said. "He has the type of length, size, athleticism that you look for at that position."
Cristobal said the UO staff was aware when Johnson transferred in that he might become eligible for a bowl game. That fact was all but forgotten as the year progressed, including by Johnson himself. But when a staff member huddled with the UO compliance office to check on Johnson's status for the Redbox Bowl, the staffer was reminded of the favorable timeline.
Recently Johnson was eating breakfast in the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex dining hall was he received the good news. First, Johnson double-checked to make sure it wasn't a prank. Then, he called his parents to share, and celebrate, the development.
"From the moment I got the news, I was fired up," Johnson said. "I'm ready to play, ready to start killing it again."
In the three Redbox Bowl practices held so far, Cristobal said he's noticed an uptick in Johnson's intensity. And, the UO coach said, he's noticed veterans taking the new addition to the two-deep under their wings.
"He's asked the right questions all week," Cristobal said. "I think a lot of the guys are taking time out of their regular regimen to teach him and get him ready, because they recognize he's a guy that could really help us."
Practice highlights: The most entertaining period Sunday was a "good on good" drill in the red zone. Tyler Shough got a chance to operate the No. 1 offense in that period, and completed a touchdown pass to Dillon Mitchell — one play after an apparent Shough-to-Mitchell TD had been negated by a penalty. The next time the ones were on the field, Jevon Holland broke up a pass and then nearly had a sack on the next play. But CJ Verdell provided the blitz pickup in the nick of time, Shough got off another pass to Mitchell, and two plays later Jacob Breeland hauled in a touchdown. …
In the two series for the No. 2 units in the red zone, the defense held strong. Steve Stephens broke up a potential touchdown pass to Demetri Burch on the first series. The next series for the twos featured defensive dominance on five straight plays — a run stop at the line by Popo Aumavae, a fumble forced by Nick Wiebe, a pass broken up in the end zone by Charles Sudduth, another run stop by Pou Peleti-Gore, and finally an interception in the end zone by Sudduth. …
A 1-on-1 passing period also was held in the red zone. Offensively, Johnny Johnson III and Deommodore Lenoir waged a really physical battle in which Johnson was able to gain separation and make the catch, and Mitchell made a great over-the-shoulder catch in the end zone. Defensively, Kahlef Hailassie broke up a pass in the end zone and Brady Breeze jumped a short route for an interception. …
In a "good on good" period of plays run from midfield, Travis Dye used an insane spin move to evade a linebacker and get into the secondary, and Braxton Burmeister launched a bomb that Burch caught over his shoudler. … The threes again got some time in that period. Mike Irwin had a nice completion on a rollout to Daewood Davis, and another to Bryan Addison. Outside linebackers Breeze and Bryson Young both had run stops near the line of scrimmage.
Other observations: Monday will be the last day of the first four-practice segment of bowl practices for the Ducks, and will resemble a "Fast Friday" workout, Cristobal said. The Ducks will hold another four-practice segment that ends Saturday, before breaking for the holidays and then reconvening in the San Francisco Bay Area. … Cristobal said injured players like Penei Sewell, Steven Jones, Jalen Jelks and Kaulana Apelu are looking like they're on track to play in the bowl game. … Cristobal will hold his next media availability Wednesday, when the Ducks announce the recruits who will sign during the early signing period.
Post-practice interview:
Head coach Mario Cristobal
Format: Full pads
Throughout this past fall, outside linebacker D.J. Johnson regularly found himself lined up opposite UO starting quarterback Justin Herbert.
So when they faced off Sunday in a practice for the Redbox Bowl, it was nothing new — except for one distinct difference. After spending the regular season with the scout-team defense, Johnson was with the No. 1 defense for a few reps Sunday, including a handful against Herbert and the No. 1 offense during a "good on good" practice period.
Upon the conclusion of the University of Oregon's fall quarter, earlier this month, Johnson completed an academic year of residency with the Ducks, clearing him to see the field after transferring from Miami (Fla.). And because a new NCAA rule allows for limited participation while preserving redshirt status, Johnson has been cleared to play in the Redbox Bowl, against Michigan State on New Year's Eve (noon, FOX), while still maintaining redshirt sophomore status for 2019.
"It feels good," Johnson said following Sunday's practice, the Ducks' third of this postseason. "I put the work in to help the team in practice. Now I have the chance to help the team win a game."
A defensive end at Miami, Johnson has practiced as an edge player at Oregon this season. He plays the Justin Hollins defensive position primarily, generally as an outside linebacker aligned to the boundary.
"We recruited him for a reason," UO coach Mario Cristobal said. "He has the type of length, size, athleticism that you look for at that position."
Cristobal said the UO staff was aware when Johnson transferred in that he might become eligible for a bowl game. That fact was all but forgotten as the year progressed, including by Johnson himself. But when a staff member huddled with the UO compliance office to check on Johnson's status for the Redbox Bowl, the staffer was reminded of the favorable timeline.
Recently Johnson was eating breakfast in the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex dining hall was he received the good news. First, Johnson double-checked to make sure it wasn't a prank. Then, he called his parents to share, and celebrate, the development.
"From the moment I got the news, I was fired up," Johnson said. "I'm ready to play, ready to start killing it again."
In the three Redbox Bowl practices held so far, Cristobal said he's noticed an uptick in Johnson's intensity. And, the UO coach said, he's noticed veterans taking the new addition to the two-deep under their wings.
"He's asked the right questions all week," Cristobal said. "I think a lot of the guys are taking time out of their regular regimen to teach him and get him ready, because they recognize he's a guy that could really help us."
Practice highlights: The most entertaining period Sunday was a "good on good" drill in the red zone. Tyler Shough got a chance to operate the No. 1 offense in that period, and completed a touchdown pass to Dillon Mitchell — one play after an apparent Shough-to-Mitchell TD had been negated by a penalty. The next time the ones were on the field, Jevon Holland broke up a pass and then nearly had a sack on the next play. But CJ Verdell provided the blitz pickup in the nick of time, Shough got off another pass to Mitchell, and two plays later Jacob Breeland hauled in a touchdown. …
In the two series for the No. 2 units in the red zone, the defense held strong. Steve Stephens broke up a potential touchdown pass to Demetri Burch on the first series. The next series for the twos featured defensive dominance on five straight plays — a run stop at the line by Popo Aumavae, a fumble forced by Nick Wiebe, a pass broken up in the end zone by Charles Sudduth, another run stop by Pou Peleti-Gore, and finally an interception in the end zone by Sudduth. …
A 1-on-1 passing period also was held in the red zone. Offensively, Johnny Johnson III and Deommodore Lenoir waged a really physical battle in which Johnson was able to gain separation and make the catch, and Mitchell made a great over-the-shoulder catch in the end zone. Defensively, Kahlef Hailassie broke up a pass in the end zone and Brady Breeze jumped a short route for an interception. …
In a "good on good" period of plays run from midfield, Travis Dye used an insane spin move to evade a linebacker and get into the secondary, and Braxton Burmeister launched a bomb that Burch caught over his shoudler. … The threes again got some time in that period. Mike Irwin had a nice completion on a rollout to Daewood Davis, and another to Bryan Addison. Outside linebackers Breeze and Bryson Young both had run stops near the line of scrimmage.
Other observations: Monday will be the last day of the first four-practice segment of bowl practices for the Ducks, and will resemble a "Fast Friday" workout, Cristobal said. The Ducks will hold another four-practice segment that ends Saturday, before breaking for the holidays and then reconvening in the San Francisco Bay Area. … Cristobal said injured players like Penei Sewell, Steven Jones, Jalen Jelks and Kaulana Apelu are looking like they're on track to play in the bowl game. … Cristobal will hold his next media availability Wednesday, when the Ducks announce the recruits who will sign during the early signing period.
Post-practice interview:
Head coach Mario Cristobal
