South Dakota State running back Amar Johnson was impactful and effective this season. Taking control of the backfield, Johnson rushed for 1,222 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was the focal point of the Jackrabbits offense.
Johnson recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network. Johnson discussed having a career-best season in 2024, his upside as a pass catcher, his favorite plays to run in the playbook, and more.
JM: You took a huge step forward this season, rushing for 1,222 yards and 14 touchdowns. What changed for you in 2024?
Amar Johnson: I took this past offseason very seriously. I always knew my time was coming. I was very patient. One of the biggest changes I made was I didn’t go home for the summer. I stayed on campus and worked out at the facility every single day. I stayed in the training room and got my body right.
I wanted to be in the best position possible to take on more carries and absorb more hits. It was a great decision from a physical standpoint. I also improved the mental aspects of my game by studying formations, schemes, and blitzes. It allowed me to play fast and free.
I also watched every game from my 2023 season on film. I did that three or four times and I became my biggest critic. I simulated drills that I needed to improve on. I identified those things on tape. I wanted to start making the non-routine plays.
JM: You were in more of a tandem in previous years. The backfield was yours in 2024. You must have felt vindicated like yeah, I knew I could be “the guy.”
Amar Johnson: I wouldn’t say I felt vindicated. Early on, I think I was just blessed to play behind two NFL-caliber running backs and learn from them. I learned a lot about work ethic and applied that to my game. I always knew my time would come. I had to apply the intangibles.
I did that in ways I couldn't imagine and took my game to the next level. I always knew I could carry a backfield. I was just waiting for my number to get called. They needed me in my senior season. The offense leaned on me a lot. I was prepared for that.
JM: I love that answer. You also caught 30 balls for 233 yards and a touchdown. Do you feel like you have some untapped potential as a pass-catcher? It's so important in today's league.
Amar Johnson: I feel like I’m a versatile guy. We had a run-heavy offense. The running backs didn’t see a lot of targets in our offense. I’m excited to show scouts that I can catch the ball out of the backfield, and run routes from the slot. I want my NFL offense to feel like they can use me in different ways.
I’m more than a running back. I played slot wide receiver in high school. I’m very familiar with running routes. I want to show teams that throughout this process. I can do that at the next level and play the slot role on third down. You can trust my hands on passing downs.
JM: How would you describe your identity as a running back? Are you an athlete in space, or a power guy up the middle?
Amar Johnson: I would describe myself as a do-it-all back. I can run outside and inside zone, I can run counter. My tape definitely highlights that throughout four years at South Dakota State. I can get down and dirty in the trenches if I need to.
Third-and-1, 4th-and-1, those money downs where we need to convert, I feel good in those situations. I ultimately feel like I move very well in space though, where I make defenders miss. I can run between the tackles as well.
One of my greatest assets is my ability to stretch defenses in space. That allows me to make plays with the ball in my hands. It all depends on the play calls. I would say I’m an athlete in space, but I can also run up the middle. I’m not a one-trick pony. I can do multiple things.
My best trait will be my ability to adapt to an NFL scheme. I’m not limiting myself to anything.
JM: Speaking of all those concepts, what's Amar Johnson's favorite play to run in the playbook? Something you'd get excited about hearing in the huddle?
Amar Johnson: That’s a tough question. I fell in love with duo this past season. We ran it a lot. It became my bread and butter. I executed duo at a high level. We also ran a lot of inside and outside zone during my freshman and sophomore years.
I love using my vision in those zone-based concepts to manipulate the linebackers. Another great one was an option route out of the backfield. I love motioning to the slot. I can read the defense well and understand zone coverage. I know when to sit the route down, or break it inside or outside.
Option route, duo, inside and outside zone, those plays come to mind.
JM: Spoken like the versatile back you are. We've appreciated your time today. Why should a team use one of their draft picks on Amar Johnson?
Amar Johnson: You’re not just getting a running back. You’re getting a leader with a high football IQ. I understand coverages. I used to tell the coaching staff that I’m like having a second quarterback in the backfield from a mental perspective.
I’m really good at picking up indicators of a blitz. Do they have a safety stacked over the top of a guy? Are the linebackers off-level? Are they anticipating a crossing route?
I can come in and play special teams as well. I can run routes out of the backfield, or out of the slot. My offensive linemen always loved my patience, vision, and ability to set up blocks. I allowed them to get to the second level.
I can block and pick up blitzes in the passing game. That’s one of the most important traits a running back can have going into the NFL. Overall, I’m a guy who is committed. I’m going to prove I belong by making everyone at the facility around me better.
Confidence will take me a long way. I’m confident I’m going to be successful at the next level. My goal is to leave a legacy. I’m not just trying to make it to the NFL.
