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Johnson trying to build a legacy in Ames
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2009-08-08
Iowa State cornerback Leonard Johnson wants to leave a lasting legacy in Ames.
He wants to be remembered as a shutdown corner, a difference maker. He wants to leave something behind at Jack Trice Stadium.
“I want people to say, ‘Leonard was an awesome guy,’” Johnson said.
But to do that, he has to leave a legacy off the field as well.
Truly great players, the ones who fans remember decades later, don’t just flip on a switch each Saturday. They meticulously study the game. They immerse themselves in it.
That’s why Johnson spent the summer studying film, picking the coaches’ brains and doing his best to become a football savant.
Because that’s what a legacy requires.
“I never coached a great player that didn’t truly understand the game,” ISU coach Paul Rhoads said. “I’ve coached a lot of great athletes that ended up being pretty good players. I never coached a great player who didn’t fully understand it.”
As a freshman last season, Johnson didn’t know what would happen before the ball was snapped. He didn’t understand what it meant when a receiver altered his stance. He didn’t always know what the other Cyclone defenders were supposed to do.
But it didn’t stop him from being a bright spot in an otherwise dismal season.
He earned first-team freshman All-American honors as a kick returner. He started five games at cornerback, recording 47 tackles and three interceptions. He set a Division I Bowl Championship subdivision record with 319 kickoff return yards against Oklahoma State.
“It was a good season,” Johnson said. “I like to remember what I did, but I want to accomplish more.”
Johnson believes he’s not half the player he could be. To get there, Johnson knows he’ll have to get a better grasp on the little things, the things he missed a year ago.
“I have to be a better learner,” Johnson said. “I have to see what I can get better in and how much better I can get.”
In the off-season, the learning process started in the film room. Johnson made it a point to learn how to study film. During his freshman season, Johnson just watched tape, not really getting much out of it.
Now he looks for where receivers line up and how they release upon the snap. If a receiver releases inside, it could mean he is running a slant or a crossing pattern, and the sooner Johnson can recognize it, the sooner he can defend it.
“I’m watching small stuff that people don’t see in the stands but can help you when you are playing defensive back,” Johnson said.
The difference between watching film and studying it is so important quarterback Austen Arnaud thinks it can be the difference between being a good player and an exceptional one.
“A lot of guys go and watch film without a purpose and just watch guys making plays,” Arnaud said. “There isn’t much benefit in that. You have to go in with a purpose because along with game experience, that is one of the most pivotal things you can do as a player to expand your game.”
Johnson set two goals for the coming season. First, he wants to become as a smart of a player as he can be and get as much out of classroom sessions as he can.
The second is to stay hungry. He accomplished a lot as a freshman. He knows he could coast and have a decent college career living off of his athletic talent.
But that’s not what legacies are built on.
“Year after year, I want to get better and grow and have an impact on the team,” Johnson said. “I want to be able to help the team and put the team in a position where we can win games.”
Gannon commits to Cyclones
Iowa City West offensive lineman Jacob Gannon, a two-star Rivals.com prospect, verbally committed to the Cyclones on Saturday. The 6-foot-6, 255-pounder is the sixth known 2010 commitment.
Gannon’s father, Mike, played football at ISU in the 1970s, but he didn’t force his son to go to his alma mater.
“My dad probably wanted me to come to Iowa State,” Gannon said. “But he let me go through the process myself. He’s probably glad with the decision I made.”
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 663-6929, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2009-08-08
Iowa State cornerback Leonard Johnson interviews football coach Paul Rhoads at ISU's media day on Wednesday.
Tribune photo by Ronnie Miller
Tribune photo by Ronnie Miller
Iowa State cornerback Leonard Johnson wants to leave a lasting legacy in Ames.
He wants to be remembered as a shutdown corner, a difference maker. He wants to leave something behind at Jack Trice Stadium.
“I want people to say, ‘Leonard was an awesome guy,’” Johnson said.
But to do that, he has to leave a legacy off the field as well.
Truly great players, the ones who fans remember decades later, don’t just flip on a switch each Saturday. They meticulously study the game. They immerse themselves in it.
That’s why Johnson spent the summer studying film, picking the coaches’ brains and doing his best to become a football savant.
Because that’s what a legacy requires.
“I never coached a great player that didn’t truly understand the game,” ISU coach Paul Rhoads said. “I’ve coached a lot of great athletes that ended up being pretty good players. I never coached a great player who didn’t fully understand it.”
As a freshman last season, Johnson didn’t know what would happen before the ball was snapped. He didn’t understand what it meant when a receiver altered his stance. He didn’t always know what the other Cyclone defenders were supposed to do.
But it didn’t stop him from being a bright spot in an otherwise dismal season.
He earned first-team freshman All-American honors as a kick returner. He started five games at cornerback, recording 47 tackles and three interceptions. He set a Division I Bowl Championship subdivision record with 319 kickoff return yards against Oklahoma State.
“It was a good season,” Johnson said. “I like to remember what I did, but I want to accomplish more.”
Johnson believes he’s not half the player he could be. To get there, Johnson knows he’ll have to get a better grasp on the little things, the things he missed a year ago.
“I have to be a better learner,” Johnson said. “I have to see what I can get better in and how much better I can get.”
In the off-season, the learning process started in the film room. Johnson made it a point to learn how to study film. During his freshman season, Johnson just watched tape, not really getting much out of it.
Now he looks for where receivers line up and how they release upon the snap. If a receiver releases inside, it could mean he is running a slant or a crossing pattern, and the sooner Johnson can recognize it, the sooner he can defend it.
“I’m watching small stuff that people don’t see in the stands but can help you when you are playing defensive back,” Johnson said.
The difference between watching film and studying it is so important quarterback Austen Arnaud thinks it can be the difference between being a good player and an exceptional one.
“A lot of guys go and watch film without a purpose and just watch guys making plays,” Arnaud said. “There isn’t much benefit in that. You have to go in with a purpose because along with game experience, that is one of the most pivotal things you can do as a player to expand your game.”
Johnson set two goals for the coming season. First, he wants to become as a smart of a player as he can be and get as much out of classroom sessions as he can.
The second is to stay hungry. He accomplished a lot as a freshman. He knows he could coast and have a decent college career living off of his athletic talent.
But that’s not what legacies are built on.
“Year after year, I want to get better and grow and have an impact on the team,” Johnson said. “I want to be able to help the team and put the team in a position where we can win games.”
Gannon commits to Cyclones
Iowa City West offensive lineman Jacob Gannon, a two-star Rivals.com prospect, verbally committed to the Cyclones on Saturday. The 6-foot-6, 255-pounder is the sixth known 2010 commitment.
Gannon’s father, Mike, played football at ISU in the 1970s, but he didn’t force his son to go to his alma mater.
“My dad probably wanted me to come to Iowa State,” Gannon said. “But he let me go through the process myself. He’s probably glad with the decision I made.”
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 663-6929, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
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