WR Nykeim Johnson transferring to Kent St

[GoSU96]

This stinks. We are better with him in ‘21 than without.

That said, if I’m him, I head to a Mississippi State or Oklahoma St and bask in being in that (warm weather) setting for another two semesters. He’s earned the right to do whatever the hell he wants...

Now, curious what bigger-framed receiver we get in this portal trade.

just signed three 6-3,6-4 guys.

 

[gocraz4dasu]

Nykiem was a great returner, especially punts, and made some memorable plays here. I'll definitely remember his time at SU positively. Good on him for getting his degree. You really can't ask for much more. I'll also miss being able to yell Nykiem any time he got the ball.

He never quite became the receiver that I thought he'd become after his first year or two on campus. We'll miss his speed over the top but I do think that we have other options for the slot that may actually be an improvement.

 

[OrangeDW]

Johnson is a darn good punt returner but made some questionable decisions at times.

In recent memory I would take Brisly Estime over Johnson. Jamel Riddle was also a good one in the last 20. I don't even know who returned punts for Gump.

Yes. Estime and Riddle are definitely 1-2, that I can think of, post 2000.

That Estime return to set up the game winning TD in the bowl game against Minnesota was unbelievable.

I remember lots of Bruce Williams fair catches in the GRob era. We couldn’t even block well enough to ever set up a return situation, and he just put a guy back there who could catch the ball. That’s how pathetic we were.

 

[Chip]

I estimate that was 0% of the reason for his decision.

I think your estimate is too high.

 

[Whitey23]

He was just named 2nd team All-ACC.

R1vals really has to refer to him with his 3 star ranking from 4 years ago?

They've used that format for their announcements. Gotta promote the brand!

 

[Louie and Bouie]

Not optimal. Departure of experience/depth at an already weak position group. Expecting Frosh. at our level or consistently injured players to carry the load next season is a tough formula. Have to hope there is some big leaps with guys currently on the roster after a full off-season. Will be interesting to see who wants to put in the work.

 

[RMH44]

I didn't see any difference between the 2020 version and the 2018 version.

We'd be better off with him returning and being a part of our team, but he's replaceable with the guys behind him.

Agreed...the biggest difference in his performance had far more to do with who was pitching rather than who was catching.

TD exclusively looked for Jackson and rarely looked elsewhere. Did N. Johnson and Riley suddenly suck? Imo, it's all on TD and the staff.

 

[All4SU]

A distant second to Quinton Spotwood...I am emphasizing the 20plus

Brisley Estime says Hi!

 

[TheCusian]

Not optimal. Departure of experience/depth at an already weak position group. Expecting Frosh. at our level or consistently injured players to carry the load next season is a tough formula. Have to hope there is some big leaps with guys currently on the roster after a full off-season. Will be interesting to see who wants to put in the work.

I don’t think the staff was counting on him next year anyways. It’s a bonus is seniors with that extra year come back, but I’m not sure it hurts. There may be players more ready than we think at WR

 

[Louie and Bouie]

I don’t think the staff was counting on him next year anyways. It’s a bonus is seniors with that extra year come back, but I’m not sure it hurts. There may be players more ready than we think at WR

Excluding NJ, only Harris and Queeley had more than 10 catches this season. If guys were game ready this year I'm assuming they would have had more run, especially in a 1-10 season.

To me guys are going to have to get game ready in the off-season. Everyone can hope but no one on the roster outside of our Top 2 has shown anything at the collegiate level to merit confidence. Measurables and HS tape don't count in my analysis.

Its an unproven group imo and I believe the staff should be looking to fill a spot with an experienced transfer.

 

[syrBossHogg]

This could allow the staff to move Taj to the slot full time and have two bigger WRs start on the outside

 

[Chip]

Agreed...the biggest difference in his performance had far more to do with who was pitching rather than who was catching.

This is plagiarized from Millhouse's latest performance evaluation at work.

 

[TheCusian]

Excluding NJ, only Harris and Queeley had more than 10 catches this season. If guys were game ready this year I'm assuming they would have had more run, especially in a 1-10 season.

To me guys are going to have to get game ready in the off-season. Everyone can hope but no one on the roster outside of our Top 2 has shown anything at the collegiate level to merit confidence. Measurables and HS tape don't count in my analysis.

Its an unproven group imo and I believe the staff should be looking to fill a spot with an experienced transfer.

So you’re saying we’ll need to replace outgoing seniors with new, younger players? Interesting.

Every year in Dino’s tenure, we’ve had a WR move on and needed to replace them. If they know one position really well, it’s WR.

We’ll see if they are as worried as you are.

 

[syrBossHogg]

Excluding NJ, only Harris and Queeley had more than 10 catches this season. If guys were game ready this year I'm assuming they would have had more run, especially in a 1-10 season.

To me guys are going to have to get game ready in the off-season. Everyone can hope but no one on the roster outside of our Top 2 has shown anything at the collegiate level to merit confidence. Measurables and HS tape don't count in my analysis.

Its an unproven group imo and I believe the staff should be looking to fill a spot with an experienced transfer.

If there's room to take a WR I would. But I would prioritize NT, C, and CB before WR.

 

[Doc5120]

Yes. Estime and Riddle are definitely 1-2, that I can think of, post 2000.

That Estime return to set up the game winning TD in the bowl game against Minnesota was unbelievable.

I remember lots of Bruce Williams fair catches in the GRob era. We couldn’t even block well enough to ever set up a return situation, and he just put a guy back there who could catch the ball. That’s how pathetic we were.

Steve don't call me "Richie" Rene. Or as I called him - Mr. Fair Catch.

Agree that post 2000 - Estime, Riddle and Nykeim are definitely top 3.

 

[Trueblue25]

Agreed...the biggest difference in his performance had far more to do with who was pitching rather than who was catching.

TD exclusively looked for Jackson and rarely looked elsewhere. Did N. Johnson and Riley suddenly suck? Imo, it's all on TD and the staff.

Eh Riley was often overmatched in coverage because the opposing defense didn’t have a custis over the top to worry about, I don’t think Jackson was as formidable a mismatch as Jamal.

Too many times I watched Johnson give up on or give 50% on a route between 2019 and 2020. Tommy Devito took quite a few unnecessary sacks himself between those two years, but more than a few were on boneheaded lazy efforts by our wideouts. Maybe he was hurt the whole time. We’re a better team with NJ because of special teams, I think there’s better arrangements for wideouts on O though.

 

[IHeartSUFball]

This is college football now, there will be 8-10 players leaving every year for their free 1 time transfer... we will fill it with a transfer... hope jawhar handles the return game

 

[RMH44]

Eh Riley was often overmatched in coverage because the opposing defense didn’t have a custis over the top to worry about, I don’t think Jackson was as formidable a mismatch as Jamal.

Too many times I watched Johnson give up on or give 50% on a route between 2019 and 2020. Tommy Devito took quite a few unnecessary sacks himself between those two years, but more than a few were on boneheaded lazy efforts by our wideouts. Maybe he was hurt the whole time. We’re a better team with NJ because of special teams, I think there’s better arrangements for wideouts on O though.

Completely disagree. During his Jr year, more than one opposition HC expressed their concern about keeping the ball out of Riley's hands. He was a serious weapon out of the slot and ED knew how and when to use him.

The same can not be said of TD. He has yet to prove that he has the ability to work the middle of the field. He seems to always look right first, then panic. He worked out with Jackson during his RS year so I get why TD trusted him so much...but for heavens sake, leave those allegiances at practice and make the proper read at the LOS.

 

[Trueblue25]

Completely disagree. During his Jr year, more than one opposition HC expressed their concern about keeping the ball out of Riley's hands. He was a serious weapon out of the slot and ED knew how and when to use him.

The same can not be said of TD. He has yet to prove that he has the ability to work the middle of the field. He seems to always look right first, then panic. He worked out with Jackson during his RS year so I get why TD trusted him so much...but for heavens sake, leave those allegiances at practice and make the proper read at the LOS.

Tommy has his faults but I think it’s more than fair to acknowledge the drops and lackadaisical route running too. Thats more in regards to this years receivers.

 

[orangenauburn]

Harris, Hendrix, Queeley start next year

 

[TexanMark]

He's going to go to a new school into a grad program. Back in the day, it was generally considered bad form to get a masters from the same school at which you got your bachelors.
Good on him to go someplace new.

Normally I agree but most of these guys are not majoring in degrees where that matters.

 

[TexanMark]

Harris, Hendrix, Queeley start next year

Pretty good guess...just hoping someone else elevates.

 

[orangepassion]

Pretty good guess...just hoping someone else elevates.

Like this guy, kind of

 

[sufandu]

Harris, Hendrix, Queeley start next year

I would love to see Hendrix be the guy, but at this point I'm not getting my hopes up.

 

[AngryOtto]

This is college football now, there will be 8-10 players leaving every year for their free 1 time transfer... we will fill it with a transfer... hope jawhar handles the return game

Pena also is a good option.