Oregon teammates rave about WR Tez Johnson following spring game
Oregon expected an influx of speed when it added former Troy receiver Tez Johnson from the transfer portal this offseason, and Duck fans were treated to exactly that on Saturday.
During the team’s annual spring game, Johnson finished with three receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown while working with backup quarterback Ty Thompson. In a day where the defense took most of the headlines, Johnson provided one of the splashiest offensive plays when he broke a pair of tackles in the third quarter and raced down the field for a 63-yard touchdown.
“Tez has speed. I think that’s shown up,” said coach Dan Lanning after the game. “He’s got burst. I think that’s shown up consistently throughout spring and that’s why he’s here.”
Johnson caught 56 balls for 863 yards for the Trojans last season. Oregon likes his potential. Consistency was a word wideout coach Junior Adams used as well to describe his game earlier this spring.
Adams said he’ll show up at the facility and find Johnson in the meeting room with fellow newcomer Traeshon Holden going over install at 6:30 a.m.
The work Johnson put in over the last few months was on display Saturday, and it wasn’t just Lanning singing his praise.
“Tez is that guy where right when he gets a step on you, he can be very dangerous,” said linebacker Jeffrey Bassa. “He’s not the biggest, but he is the fastest.”
The Ducks look like they’ll have a deep receiver room this upcoming season. Five-star 2023 signee Jurrion Dickey arrives in the summer. Perhaps a former USC receiver is on the way, too. But given Johnson’s speed and playmaking ability, the Ducks will find him a role.
“He just provides a unique spark on offense. We don’t really have a guy like that who is a little scat guy,” said quarterback Bo Nix. “He does a good job when he gets the ball.”