Run-stuffing Defensive Tackles aren't particularly flashy, but still important members of a team, and if your team needs one, there will be a good one available in Tennessee standout Eugene "Beefcake" Johnson, as the Arkansas native has declared for the DSFL draft coming off a dominant junior season for the Volunteers.
Surprisingly, the 330-pound behemoth used to play baseball (as a first baseman) instead of football in high school before making the more logical sport according to his size, as his size alone made him a feared player in the trenches. While his college stats aren't eye-popping, they can't measure his gravity against the run, drawing double- and sometimes even triple-teams, and his sheer immovability in the trenches, forcing opposing running backs to dodge him to the outside, resulting in easy tackles for his teammates. While Johnson might need to get a little more athleticism to play at the top level, he should be a handful against the run when plugged in.
A little more concerning is his ability to play the pass. While he improved quite a bit in that regard in college, he only achieved nine sacks in three years. Both his limited quickness and his lack of pass-rushing moves (he often just tried to push the opposing linemen into the QB or onto the ground) will make him a somewhat disruptive pocket-pusher at best.
As far as intangibles go, there don't seem to be issues with Johnson. He has been described as a "very selfless player, willing to sacrifice his own stats for the greater good of the team by taking on multiple blockers". A savvy businessman, Johnson has already announced a sponsoring partnership with the nutrient supplier "Weight Gain 4000", which he credits for helping him to achieve and stay in his shape.
According to rumors, Johnson has been linked with the Portland Pythons, the Dallas Birddogs, and the Kansas City Coyotes.
Surprisingly, the 330-pound behemoth used to play baseball (as a first baseman) instead of football in high school before making the more logical sport according to his size, as his size alone made him a feared player in the trenches. While his college stats aren't eye-popping, they can't measure his gravity against the run, drawing double- and sometimes even triple-teams, and his sheer immovability in the trenches, forcing opposing running backs to dodge him to the outside, resulting in easy tackles for his teammates. While Johnson might need to get a little more athleticism to play at the top level, he should be a handful against the run when plugged in.
A little more concerning is his ability to play the pass. While he improved quite a bit in that regard in college, he only achieved nine sacks in three years. Both his limited quickness and his lack of pass-rushing moves (he often just tried to push the opposing linemen into the QB or onto the ground) will make him a somewhat disruptive pocket-pusher at best.
As far as intangibles go, there don't seem to be issues with Johnson. He has been described as a "very selfless player, willing to sacrifice his own stats for the greater good of the team by taking on multiple blockers". A savvy businessman, Johnson has already announced a sponsoring partnership with the nutrient supplier "Weight Gain 4000", which he credits for helping him to achieve and stay in his shape.
According to rumors, Johnson has been linked with the Portland Pythons, the Dallas Birddogs, and the Kansas City Coyotes.