Stephen Johnson scans the field for an open receiver at a recent practice — Photo by Keyli Chisesi (Go Big Blue Country)
Kentucky senior quarterback Stephen Johnson will begin the 2017 season in the same place he finished last year, as the starting quarterback for the Wildcats. However, this time around the Rancho Cucamonga, CA., native has a clean slate to work with and a full off-season of practice with the talented weapons that offensive coordinator Eddie Gran surrounds him with.
One of those weapons is junior tight end C.J. Conrad, who Johnson struggled to find consistency with last season. During Johnson’s first real action as the UK quarterback, Conrad hauled in 133 receiving yards and three touchdowns vs. New Mexico State, the first UK tight end to top 100 yards receiving since Jacob Tamme in 2007.
The breakout game for Conrad was short lived, as he and Johnson failed to connect consistently on a number of scoring opportunities. The Wildcat rushing attack perfectly set up the play action pass to Conrad in the middle of the field, but so many times, timing was off between the two.
Now we enter the 2017 season and the two have had the off-season and fall camp to develop that chemistry, something they have both focused on.
“In this level, as many reps as you can get with the guys its always going to better you,” said Conrad. “Having the same starting quarterback is definitely going to help — Me and Stephen have worked extremely hard and hopefully it pays off.”
Everyone expects the running game to again be the strength of the offense behind an experienced offensive line and Johnson has talented wide receivers to spread the ball around to. With that being said, Conrad is a huge target in the middle of the field that the Wildcats need to utilize to be successful. He not only is a great blocking tight end, he also has the ability to make plays in the passing game, something the Wildcats need him to do this season.
Johnson knows his 6-5 tight end is a valuable piece to the Wildcat offense, so expect the two to connect more often times than not this season.
“I know a lot last year I missed him on a few passes,” said Johnson. “Definitely get a lot better at that with different plays we have set up.”
The two will look to find each other this Saturday on the road in Hattiesburg, as Kentucky and Southern Miss are set to kick off at 4:00/3:00 central. Coverage of the game will be on the CBS Sports Network.
