32 Days To K-State Football: Dakorey Johnson Player Preview

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We’re now just 32 days away from kick-off against North Dakota State, folks, and the excitement is mounting everyday. To help us usher in another season of K-State football next is linebacker Dakorey Johnson. #32 Johnson is a transfer from Trinity Valley Community College and brings the pedigree as the younger brother of Quincy Morgan, a former standout wide receiver for the Wildcats and second round draft pick in 2001.

Johnson hails from Mesquite, TX where he was named a Second Team All-District linebacker his senior year. While taking the JUCO route he had 82 tackles with seven for a loss and five sacks to go along with four pass break ups and two fumble recoveries over his two years at TVCC. He’s an intriguing prospect that Texas Tech recruited very hard, and he originally gave his verbal commit to the Red Raiders last summer. However, the departure of Tommy Tuberville for Cincinnati changed everything for him. After pledging to Texas Tech in July he learned of Tuberville’s decision in December, 11 days before he was set to sign. He quickly visited K-State, committed to the Wildcats two days later, and signed later in the week.

Johnson stands at 6’3″ and 200 pounds and has great range for the position. He was reportedly ask to cover slot receivers on a regular basis at Trinity, which regularly took him out of the action and explains the low tackle total. However, the assignment merely demonstrates the speed he brings to the position as he should be among the fastest linebackers on campus (the only downside being his light playing weight). 247 Sports rated him the #13 OLB recruit out of the junior college ranks and #8 in the State of Texas and he appears to be a consensus three-star athlete. ESPN notes that he has elite coverage skills for the position.

Johnson doesn’t appear ready to start for the Wildcats but should figure into the two-deep, particularly against teams like Oklahoma State that play with fast offenses with multiple receiver sets. This is a linebacking corps that has depth but is in need of experienced players, and Johnson provides that playing maturity and some serious speed to boot.

To work backwards in the countdown, visit 33 Days, where we preview the contributions of John Hubert.