Navy linebacker Corey Johnson lay on his stomach and interlocked his hands behind his back following a recent practice. Slowly, in full pads and helmet, he crawled the length of the football field using only his chest and legs.
“That’s what happens when you get missed assignments or loafs in a game — you have to do those nice worms,” the senior said. “Usually, you do hundred-[yard dashes], but coach said he wanted to save our legs.”
The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder is continuing to adjust to sport after turning in his shorts and sneakers he wore as a member of the basketball team for shoulder pads and cleats after his junior year.
The former point guard has improved since moving from the hardwood to the football field, as he is fourth on the team with 26 tackles — six more than he made all of last season.
Johnson had just three tackles in a 23-21 win over Rutgers last Saturday, but played a huge roll in limiting the Scarlet Knights (0-3) to a meager 131 passing yards. But he will have to perform even better on Saturday afternoon at 3:45 when Navy (2-2) travels to play 15th-ranked Wake Forest (3-0) at BB&T Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., in front of a national television audience on ESPNU.
“Corey’s brought a lot to our defense, but still has a way to go,” Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “He’s making some plays, but has some assignment busts. He’s a guy who has done good things, we just have to cleanup some mental errors.”
Johnson arrived in Annapolis from Anderson, Ind., where he played football and basketball at Highland High. But after starring on the hardwood for three seasons — his 139 career steals are sixth-best in academy history — he switched to his other love: football.
He struggled find playing time on one of the worst units in school history that yielded an average of more than 36 points and 439 yards per game last season. Johnson, however, has provided a boost to the unit this fall, as the Midshipmen have improved dramatically, allowing an average of 27.5 points and 395.2 yards per game.
“I love hitting again,” Johnson said. “When I played basketball, I loved to bang with the big boys inside so that was always fun. But when you get to strap on the pads and come off the edge and hit the quarterback a few times, there’s nothing like it.”
