RB, Ian Johnson, Boise St.

RB, Ian Johnson, Boise St.

Pros:  Very good vision. Anticipates the hole and attacks it. Runs a bit high, but lowers his shoulders around defenders and isn't afraid of contact. Keeps his legs driving to fight for the tough yards, but is more of a finesse runner whose lateral quickness and quick acceleration generates the bulk of his production.

Cons:  Staggering sophomore production influenced by Boise State's offense. Unusual build for a running back, as Johnson has narrow shoulders and hips. Lacks elite timed speed.

Styg's Broncos Fit:  As a Big Blue fan I have seen a lot of Ian Johnson, and I pretty much have him pegged, I think. Where I messed up was in evaluating his drive to succeed. He is definitely putting the pressure on the NFL to not overlook him, and it may just work. He is a smart player, who plays hard and is extremely loyal and coachable. He has good, not great hands out of the backfield, is a willing blocker, and runs well with limited reps in a zone-block-style system. In terms of playing in McDaniels' scheme, the good news is that Ian is definitely team-first, and even though his draft stock was at stake, he willingly sacrificed carries throughout his junior and senior campaigns because that is what the team needed. He unfortunately had several injuries, including a punctured lung, which will impact his stock. As a result, his sophomore production (which was tremendous) may slip to the backs of people's minds, and some team that doesn't forget will get a smart, low-mileage player on the cheap.

Around MHR:

I also think you may be underrating Ian Johnson

Just my opinion, but I think he may end up being the Steve Slayton of this year’s draft, the kid is very smart, great teamate, and does whatever is asked, very verstile, and I think is an underrated RB, I know his production went down this year, but they lost Clady and went to a pass fisrt offense due to their QB at BSU.

                                             ~Broncoman

Around SBNation:

From "Late 2nd Day RB Pick" at Bolts From the Blue"

You remember Ian, he was the one who proposed to his girlfriend after the fiesta bowl when Boise State beat Oklahoma.  He was an All-American his sophomore year with 1700+ yards rushing.  His numbers have decreased the last two years and this year he only had 766 yards on the ground.  He was splitting time with a few other backs.  He did pick up another 200+ yards in receptions.

Highlights:

Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:

• Former Boise State tailback Ian Johnson put together another impressive workout Tuesday for NFL scouts at the Broncos’ annual pro day.
  
  Johnson, who has bulked up to 212 pounds, did not run the 40-yard dash because he posted a terrific time of 4.46 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine. He did do agility drills.  [see more...]
• Johnson ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds, the second-fastest time among the 32 running backs at the combine. Virginia's Cedric Peerman ran the fastest time in 4.45 seconds. Entering the scouting event - which also includes physical exams, team interviews and a psychological test during a four-day period - there was some question about Johnson's speed.
  
  Johnson also did 26 repetitions of the 225-pound bench press, the fifth-highest total among running back prospects.  [see more...]
• Showcases good vision at the line with an explosive first step. Displays a fluid jump cut and natural lateral mobility to reach the cutback lane on the far side to attack up field. Is a very instinctive runner who exhibits good patience and allows blockers to set up in front of him. A threat out of the backfield and does a nice job catching the ball away from his body.  [see more...]
• as a lot of experience playing the running back position. Seems to be a step ahead mentally of his opponents.  Has spent a lot of time splitting carries throughout his career. However he will play through pain and forces a coach to take him out.  Faster, quicker, and more agile than almost everyone in the WAC. A high effort style runner that can accelerate quickly.  Tucks the ball high and tight and keeps it there even when he is alone in space. Very disciplined, has been very reliable in terms of not putting the ball on the ground.  Can be shifty enough through traffic to elude the big hits.   [see more...]
• Johnson is probably the most famous player ever to come out of Boise because of his All-American sophomore season (1,713 rushing yards, 25 touchdowns) and impromptu marriage proposal in the end zone after the Broncos' big New Year's Day 2007 win over Oklahoma. But Johnson's production declined to 1,041 yards as a junior and 766 yards as a senior, mostly because his number of carries was reduced by about a third each year.
  
  He did get more opportunities to catch the ball the past two seasons, averaging 24 receptions for 271 yards. While not particularly big, fast or quick, Johnson's fortitude, durability (he played in 49 games), receiving skills and potential on special teams could well land him a roster spot.  [see more...]