Isaiah Johnson – Running Back – Eastern Illinois
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Isaiah Johnson: Height: 5”11, weight: 210. I haven’t run the forty recently, but the last time I did was a 4.56 at my junior college.
Alex Khvatov: Where will you be training for the NFL Draft?
Isaiah Johnson: Southern California, Sports Academy; Mamba Sports.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall experience at the FCS Bowl all-star game in Daytona Beach, FL.
Isaiah Johnson: It was a great experience to be there amongst other great athletes receiving some recognition that I’ve been getting the past weeks.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest thing that you will take away from that weekend?
Isaiah Johnson: The opportunity to talk to a couple scouts and get my name out there.
Alex Khvatov: Who was the best player that you have faced at the FCS Bowl?
Isaiah Johnson: Vincent Espinoza.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Isaiah Johnson: Vanderbilt, MTSU, Morehead State, Murray State and Austin Peay.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose the JUCO route?
Isaiah Johnson: I didn’t handle my business all the way in high school and I was hearing good things about JUCO providing opportunities for players, so I took a visit out to Moorpark College and it seemed promising.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you decide to transfer to Eastern Illinois?
Isaiah Johnson: Being in California for two years I was getting a little homesick not seeing friends and family too much. Eastern had three or four Tennessee games on their schedule and was closer to home. They were also the only ones to offer me a 100% full scholarship since the San Jose St staff did, but then got fired.
Alex Khvatov: How would describe your teammate WR Alexander Hollins who
had a big senior year?
Isaiah Johnson: He is a very passionate player that loves the game. He’s a guy you want to have on your team who just brings everything he has to the table. I’ve been around a lot of great talent, and he sits at the top.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Isaiah Johnson: My strength and balance. I always feel like I can make the first guy miss or break their tackle and keep my feet going to get extra yards.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Isaiah Johnson: Hands and pass protection. My goal is to be an every down back, and you can’t be one without having those qualities to your game.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall career to us.
Isaiah Johnson: My overall career up to this point has been everything I wanted to give me a chance at the next level. Ever since I started varsity in high school my sophomore year, I’ve always been an all-conference player. To me I believe that’s a very successful career.
Alex Khvatov: What is your biggest accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Isaiah Johnson: Getting the National Team Offensive MVP at the FCS National Bowl I just played in. There were a lot of great players there and to be able to standout like that meant a lot for how hard I worked to get to this point.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Isaiah Johnson: FCS National Bowl Offensive MVP.
Alex Khvatov: What have you learned the most from your coaching staff?
Isaiah Johnson: My position coach Hutson taught me a lot about pre-snap tendencies or where a running lane can potentially be open, formations teams like to blitz and when they plan on blitzing, just the overall X’s and O’s of the game.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Isaiah Johnson: Tennessee Titans.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Isaiah Johnson: My favorite player was Reggie Bush. but who I like the most at my position right now is Christian McCaffrey.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a RB?
Isaiah Johnson: The way the game is played now, I’d say pass protection.
Alex Khvatov: Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that
you are looking for from the defense?
Isaiah Johnson: What front they’re in, and who are my responsibilities if a blitz is to come.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next
season?
Isaiah Johnson: Travis Buckwalter and James Sheehan.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the toughest player that you have faced on an
opposing team?
Isaiah Johnson: The entire Jacksonville State D-line.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Isaiah Johnson: The brotherhood that you develop that last a life time.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your biggest role model and why?
Isaiah Johnson: My mother! She’s been raising my two brothers and for half our lives and always stays consistent and on top of things with whatever she’s doing.
Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?
Isaiah Johnson: Somebody who’s a people person who can interact with anybody and keep a humble, mature attitude.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Isaiah Johnson: Fishing and working out.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football
career is over?
Isaiah Johnson: My major is in kinesiology dealing with exercise science. I want to be able to help athletes stay available all season long or as close to 100% as possible, decreasing their risk of injury with the everyday movements they’re involved with.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Isaiah Johnson: Happy, blessed, special, determined and grateful.
Alex Khvatov: Who will win the National Championship in CFB this year?
Isaiah Johnson: Alabama has always had a good defense and a running game, but with a quarterback as talented as he is with that coaching, I’m leaning towards them.
Alex Khvatov: Who will win Super Bowl LIII in February?
Isaiah Johnson: I think this is Phillip Rivers year. I’m going with the Chargers.
