Leon Johnson III Awarded Scholarship Check from Dr. Pepper and Big 12

ARLINGTON, Texas – Here during a time out at the 2023 Big 12 Championship Game the public presentation was made via the Cowboys and AT&T Stadium massive video board to Oklahoma State transfer receiver Leon Johnson III of an academic award. The Big 12 and Dr.Pepper are part of the college football tradition and the College Football Playoff movement of The Extra Yard in support of education and teachers. Johnson was part of a group of student-athletes in the conference that put in or someone put in for them a scholarship award. Johnson III, who graduated from his previous school, George Fox University with a degree in mathmatics. Johnson III is working on his Master’s degree at Oklahoma State.

The check was presented at Oklahoma State practice on Tuesday from Oklahoma State athletics director Chad Weiberg and Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy. Marilyn Middlebrook, the head of academics for athletics, and her staff were there for the presentation.

Johnson III was absollutely surprised at the award and was grinning ear-to-ear as the presentation was made in front of his teammates, who also really enjoyed it. He is a very well-liked and respected member of this team especially for a first-year player.

Pat Kinnison - Chief Photographer

Johnson III congratulated by teammates.

Johnson III was intending to red-shirt this season but when a rash of injuries cut the receiving corps down, Johnson III busted his red-shirt and has been a critical contributor to the Cowboys efforts in making it to the Big 12 Championship Game.  

Picking up his playing time in the West Virginia game with two receivers going down that afternoon, Johnson III had big blocks on two of Ollie Gordon’s touchdown runs. In the time since in five games he has 27 receptions for 446-yards with a 16.5-yards per catch average and a touchdown against Houston.