Cade Johnson
Wide Receiver / South Dakota State

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Cade Johnson:  5’11, 180, and my lowest forty time was a 4.42.  I can run that time right now.  I recorded that time going into my junior year during the offseason.    

Alex Khvatov:  How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Cade Johnson:  Zach Duval was a strength coach at Nebraska.  His brother, Gibbie Duval, has his own gym.  I work out with him.  He has 10 people per session.  I have been doing it for three weeks.  Before that, I was working out at a field with my dad and my younger brother, who committed to Iowa.  My brother will be a senior in high school this year.  My father was a WR for the back-to-back championships at Nebraska in the 90’s.  He was the leading receiver for Nebraska when Tommie Frazier was the QB there.  

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Cade Johnson:  Actually, my first love was basketball.  I was playing it year around.  I would travel for basketball.  I didn’t play football until my sophomore year of high school.  I also ran track.  My dad was a state champion in track.  My brother made state in 100m and 200m last year.  My older brother played football at Wyoming when Josh Allen was there.  He was also a WR.  He broke Nebraska high school records.            

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

Cade Johnson:  Growing up, I was always a RB.  I was a RB during my sophomore year.  We were installing the Oregon’s spread offense next year, and I figured that receiver would be my best bet.  I transitioned to WR.  I played slot and then outside.  I bounced around.  I played WR and I also was the starting nickel on defense as a senior.  I actually led the state of Nebraska in INT’s senior season. 

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Cade Johnson:  I have an interesting story.  During my junior year of high school, South Dakota State was my first visit and I got an offer.  I was hoping for Wyoming or lower FBS schools, but I never got one. 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose South Dakota State? 

Cade Johnson:  South Dakota State was taking two receivers.  They told me that they had no spots for me.  I had no offers.  SDSU offered me as a walk-on.  My film was as good as any receiver out there.  They knew the potential I had.  I know how to play football and I have heart.       

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your overall career?      

Cade Johnson:  Freshman year, I broke the school record for kickoff return yards and was rewarded as a first team all-newcomer.  I broke Jake Wieneke’s school record with 17 TD’s.  I was an All-American the past two years.  I was the offensive MVP the past two seasons.  As a team, we have gone the furthest.  We have made back-to-back semifinal appearances in the playoffs.  The first game my sophomore year, I scored four TD’s against Montana State.   

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about that second round playoff loss to Northern Iowa in 2019. 

Cade Johnson:  It was a tough game.  We turned the ball over three times.  We couldn’t get over the hump.  It was the best shot that we had.  Last year, our main focus was the defense.  We lose our All-Conference LB Christian Rozeboom.  He was our leader.  He is with the Rams now.  A lot of our defensive players are back.  Our All-American RB Pierre Strong is back.  Our OL is pretty much back.  We got a lot of young guys who are hungry. 

Alex Khvatov:  What have you learned from your former teammates, WR Jake Wieneke and TE Dallas Goedert?

Cade Johnson:  I learned how to handle all of the accolades that are thrown your way.  I learned how to talk to and treat people.  They didn’t know how I was watching them.  Be respectful to the game and the coaches.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Cade Johnson:  The number one thing is heart.  You don’t have the biggest or strongest or fastest guy.  Go hard every play.  Give it your all, and game will reward you.  The heart you put into this game can carry you a long way.       

Alex Khvatov:  How much pride do you take in being a difference maker as a returner on special teams?

Cade Johnson:  Special teams is what got me to where I am now.  Special teams can win and lose games for you.  Most people don’t realize how much it affects the course of the game.  I was not a sought after recruit.  I was a walk-on.  I didn’t see that potential as a returner at first until I was able to make my mark there. 

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Cade Johnson:  There is so much that I can improve on.  I need to work on my strength for the next level.  I need to get bigger.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Cade Johnson:  The greatest moment at SDSU was when we went to Kennesaw State and won the game.  We made it to the semis of the playoffs.  It was super rainy.  It was terrible weather.  It was third down & long, and we needed a catch.  It was a scramble drill, and I caught it.  We got the first down.  I sealed the game.  It was a great feeling.  Both of my parents flew to the game.     

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff? 

Cade Johnson:  WR coach Robert Arnheim played football at Western Michigan and been around P.J. Fleck.  His favorite phrase is pain of discipline versus the pain of regret.  That stuck out to me.  You can’t take any shortcuts. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

Cade Johnson:  The Green Bay Packers have been my favorite team.  RB Ahman Green is pretty good friends with my dad.  They played together at Nebraska.  My dad lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Cade Johnson:  My favorite player is Davante Adams.  He runs the best routes in the league.  He is so smooth.  It is like art.  He is great at his craft.    

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?

Cade Johnson:  RB Pierre Strong was injured the last two or three games of the season, but he was still an All-American last year.  LB Logan Backhaus has been a two-year captain.  He is my roommate and best friend.  He put up some phenomenal stats, but was snubbed for all-conference honors last season.  He flies around and makes plays.   

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Cade Johnson:  LB Jabril Cox from NDSU.  He transferred to LSU.  We had good battles.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a WR?

Cade Johnson:  Separation is the key for a WR.  You have to get open.   

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Cade Johnson:  I love the atmosphere.  I love playing football.  Scoring a TD and just running out of the tunnel.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is your definition of a leader?

Cade Johnson:  A leader is not always vocal.  He leads by example and leads by doing the right thing.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Cade Johnson:  I enjoy music.  Listening to different artists and going to concerts.

Alex Khvatov:  What is the best concert that you have attended?

Cade Johnson:  Travis Scott.  He is my favorite artist.  His live concert was an awesome experience.    

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Cade Johnson:  I have been interested in becoming a coach.  My dad is actually in pharmaceutical sales.  He is a good talker and makes good money.  I might get into medical sales as well.  My major is in consumer affairs, and I should graduate in December. 

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Cade Johnson:  Outgoing, respectful, energetic, passionate, and competitive.