Is This No. 3 One of the Biggest Weapons No. 1 South Dakota State is Bringing to the Boone

STILLWATER – Watching video this summer No. 3 Amar Johnson was one of the South Dakota State players that I paid the most attention to. I’ve said many times that th No. 1-ranked and two-time defending FCS Champions are replacing 19 starters. However, a sobering fact is the Walter Payton Award winner (FCS Heisman) went to SDSU quarterback Mark Gronowski. Instead of going to the NFL or transfering for NIL riches, Gronowski has stayed with the hope of winning a third championship and extending the 29-game win streak for the Jack Rabbits. 

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If Johnson is shutting up the crowd in Boone Pickens Stadium that will not be a good thing.

Johnson figures to be a part of the reason Gronowski is still in Brokkings, S.D. and not in Miami, Fla. or Columbus, Ohio or some other Power Four school looking for a championship winning signal caller. South Dakota State has a lot of veteran back-ups ready to take their place in the line-up, When you beat people by an average of nearly 40 points a game the back-ups get lots of playing time, 

Because of injuries and blowouts, Johnson has nearly 2,000-yards rushing in his career and he has earned All-Conference mention. In the Rabbits first championship he rushed for 126-yards in beating rival North Dakota State. He is a legit player and along with his quarterback part of the reason so many coaches voted SDSU No. 1 in the preseason FCS poll earlier this week.

"I'm confident he can be the guy," said SDSU head coach Jimmy Rogers to Sioux Falls Live. "He could've been the guy last year, and for just about any other team in the country he would've been. It helped him to have (Davis) in front of him because Zay showed him how to work and how to prepare and how to take care of your body. That whole group has a lot of talent and Amar is ready to lead them."

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Johnson has speed and now is up to 205 pounds, he says more muscle.

Johnson is from O’Fallon, Mo. and he grew up in the Big 12 footprint. Comeing back to play at Oklahoma State should bring more than a few family and friends down to Stillwater to see the game. You know to watch his “coming out “ party.

"I think of it like it's my time now," Johnson said to Sioux Fall Live. "I've been patient. I've taken what I can learn from Zay and Pierre. Not too many guys get two NFL guys to show them the ropes, and that's my dream, too, to play at that level. So they've showed me how to practice right, how to lead, how to prepare and now it's my turn."

Last season he had 801-yards rushing and played a key role. Isaiah Davis, the starter last season is in the New York Jets training camp. He had four carries for eight-yards in the Jets exhibition opener with Washington. Johnson is no slouch and also will likely wind up in an NFL camp someday.

"I really focused this offseason on improving my muscle and getting my weight up," Johnson added. "Last year I was at about 196, now I'm at 205. I've been working hard to stay healthy and take care of my body so I can carry the ball 20 times a game if I need to."

The Cowboys defense is getting good work against good backs and it appears they will need all of it to be ready for the top rushing Jack Rabbit for this season.