Storyline Countdown No. 13: Is Tyron Johnson the X-Factor for OSU?

There’s probably not a more polarizing player on OSU’s roster than the former LSU transfer turned practice field legend Tyron Johnson. His talent is unmistakable but rarely was it displayed on the field last season.

At this time last year, the narrative was not if Tyron Johnson would play, but if he would overshadow James Washington. I’ll admit it, I bought in to (and probably contributed to) some of that hyperbole.

But with Washington now the owner of a Biletnikoff trophy and an NFL contract, the path is clear for the former five-star talent to shine, even among a talent-rich receiver corps.

What we learned in 2017

When Tyron did see serious targets — like when he spelled an injured Washington in Bedlam — he was productive and dynamic. In that game he hauled in four of his eight targets for 118 yards and two scores.

If not for a floated pass by Rudolph on fourth-and-8, Tyron would have been 5-for-8 with 156 yards and three TDs, and he very well could be in the Rashaun Woods stratosphere when it comes to Bedlam heroes.

OSU needs a star in 2018

Regardless of whether this is the start of the Taylor Cornelius era or just a Dru Brown-Spencer Sanders waiting game, OSU needs a go-to playmaker at wideout. There are several viable candidates like the versatile Dillon Stoner, the oft-overlooked Jalen McCleskey and Tylan Wallace who showed flashes of his big-play ability as a true freshman last season.

Even with that crowded receiver corps, Mike Gundy seems to think a big season is Tyron’s for the grasping.

“He’s very talented,” Gundy said of Johnson during Big 12 Media Days. “He’s shown the ability to make a play. If he stays focused and buys in, which I think he is, he’s coached and trained by one of the best in the country. I think he’s very capable of catching 60 balls.”

Johnson caught 18 of his just 27 targets last year for 293 yards. His average of 10.9 yards per target ranked behind only Washington and Marcell Ateman. That number could very well go up with a featured role in OSU’s offense and based on his much-touted ability after the catch.

Did we expect too much from Johnson in a reserve role last year? Probably. Are we underselling his value based on spotty performance? Maybe. But if Tyron can live up to half of the hype and stay in his world, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be the focus of OSU’s passing game.