Known more for his nickname “Freak” than his real name, LSU sophomore defensive tackle Anthony Johnson had a lot to live up to before he ever played a snap for the Tigers.
It isn’t hard to understand the reasoning behind the nickname. At 6-foot-3-inches and more than 300 pounds, Johnson is one of the biggest players on the LSU team, and that’s before his play on the field is taken into account.
Coming out of high school as a consensus five-star prospect and the No. 1 defensive tackle in the 2011 recruiting class, the expectations for Johnson were anything but small.
The moniker was bestowed upon Johnson by legendary coach Monte Kiffin, who was Tennessee’s defensive coordinator at the time.
As a sophomore in high school, Johnson participated in a football camp with Kiffin in attendance. Despite his imposing frame, Johnson blazed a 4.8 second 40-yard dash, leading Kiffin to call him “Freak.”
The name stuck. Johnson now embraces the epithet. He even included it in his Twitter handle, @freaklsu.
Leaner, lighter and in what Johnson said is the best shape of his life, the former O.P. Walker High School star is starting to stand out among the Tigers’ plethora of elite defensive linemen.
Through four games this season, Johnson leads all LSU defensive linemen in total tackles (14), is second on the team in tackles for loss (4.5) and tied for third in sacks (1).
Those numbers already surpass his 2011 totals.
In 2011, Johnson never started for the Tigers, but played 14 games in a role limited to particular, in-game situations. He totaled 12 tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack.
“Last year it was a disappointing freshman year for me even though I had a lot of accolades,” Johnson said. “I took it upon myself in the offseason to be the best we can be, and right now I’m just trying to keep that up and show my teammates that I’m ready to play for them.”
Johnson received his first start against a Southeastern Conference opponent on Saturday against Auburn, and given his recent play, it probably won’t be his last.
On Saturday, Johnson had three tackles, two of which were tackles for loss and the other a sack.
Johnson said he feels this season is his first opportunity to accomplish his goals, and he said those goals only come by leaving everything on the field.
“I don’t care if I’m chasing after Keke Mingo; I’m going to be a close second,” Johnson said. “I’m not going to change. I’m not going to stop having the best technique, and I’m going to go 100 mph every play.”
Junior defensive end Sam Montgomery said the attention Johnson received coming into LSU was well-deserved.
Montgomery also said he thinks Johnson will exceed the hype because of his humility, hard work on the practice field and natural physical ability.
“He’s a young man with a grown man’s body,” Montgomery said. “He’s a silverback. He’s a gorilla. I can’t explain it.”
Johnson said no one has higher expectations for himself than he does. He knows he has to go out and earn the attention he received as a recruit, but that’s not his only goal.
“I just want to be a legend,” Johnson said. “I just want to be remembered for the great things I do, even if it’s off the field. Everyone wants those accolades. They want to be a first round draft pick. They want to be an All-American. I’m just trying to be the best teammate and player I can be for this university.”
