Hunter Johnson Observation

Sheffielder

Senior
Sep 1, 2004
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I spent some time noticing Hunter Johnson on the sidelines today. He wasn't on the headset, no clipboard - for the most part he was receded on the sidelines, almost isolated - didn't spend much time talking to other players and never really noticed him interact with Aidan (which may have been an oversight on my part).

Maybe not a big deal, but does this not seem odd to other fans? I expect a top QB, theoretically the starter, to be "involved," even when he's not taking the snaps...
 

TS_fan

Redshirt
Oct 12, 2013
9
0
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I spent some time noticing Hunter Johnson on the sidelines today. He wasn't on the headset, no clipboard - for the most part he was receded on the sidelines, almost isolated - didn't spend much time talking to other players and never really noticed him interact with Aidan (which may have been an oversight on my part).

Maybe not a big deal, but does this not seem odd to other fans? I expect a top QB, theoretically the starter, to be "involved," even when he's not taking the snaps...



Seems kinda weird to me also. Why not be involved in the game put a damn headset on and listen and learn.
 

Sheffielder

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Sep 1, 2004
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I don't want to get into any fan conspiracies and I realize the kid has had a sh*tty season on and off the field, but I also think about many of our QBs over the past 10-15 years - Basanez, Persa, Kafka, and so on...and all of those guys would have been up on the front line, either slapping helmets for big plays or talking with Aidan when he came off the field. It may be that he just doesn't quite have that street cred yet - with Aidan or the team, but either way...it was interesting to see the presumptive top guy be so...anonymous?
 

Gocatsgo2003

All-Conference
Mar 30, 2006
47,035
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I spent some time noticing Hunter Johnson on the sidelines today. He wasn't on the headset, no clipboard - for the most part he was receded on the sidelines, almost isolated - didn't spend much time talking to other players and never really noticed him interact with Aidan (which may have been an oversight on my part).

Maybe not a big deal, but does this not seem odd to other fans? I expect a top QB, theoretically the starter, to be "involved," even when he's not taking the snaps...

1) That’s a GIANT armchair psychologist move.

2) Typically QB2 is not on a headset because he could have to enter the game very quickly if the starter has any issues (injury, shoe lace, contact lens, whatever).
 

Sheffielder

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Sep 1, 2004
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1) That’s a GIANT armchair psychologist move.

2) Typically QB2 is not on a headset because he could have to enter the game very quickly if the starter has any issues (injury, shoe lace, contact lens, whatever).

Is he QB2? I didn't see him warming up with anyone at any point.
 

IGNORE

Redshirt
Jan 15, 2019
3,584
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Raise your hand if you think HJ will start another game for NU.

Things are racing downhill. Glad Pat Ryan spent all that money. Must feel good.
 

Pukecat

Redshirt
Sep 30, 2018
615
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Raise your hand if you think HJ will start another game for NU.

Things are racing downhill. Glad Pat Ryan spent all that money. Must feel good.

I don't think he is good enough to start for us, ever. He doesn't have the instincts. Plenty of athleticism but he doesn't have a feel for the game. How does a kid get that? I guess we could hope he works his *** off, but what exactly has he been doing since arriving at campus if he hasn't been working already?
 

Wildcatfootball12

Sophomore
Sep 3, 2011
614
115
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I don't think he is good enough to start for us, ever. He doesn't have the instincts. Plenty of athleticism but he doesn't have a feel for the game. How does a kid get that? I guess we could hope he works his *** off, but what exactly has he been doing since arriving at campus if he hasn't been working already?

As opposed to football savant Aidan Smith
 

Purple Pile Driver

All-Conference
May 14, 2014
27,973
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I don't think he is good enough to start for us, ever. He doesn't have the instincts. Plenty of athleticism but he doesn't have a feel for the game. How does a kid get that? I guess we could hope he works his *** off, but what exactly has he been doing since arriving at campus if he hasn't been working already?
Wow, you determined all this from parts of 5 games where we literally got trucked on the OL? Now you question if he is working hard? WTF. If I was Hunter I would get the hell out of NU. The fans attacking him when not knowing the details is embarrassing.
 

EvanstonCat

Senior
May 29, 2001
50,771
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I don't think he is good enough to start for us, ever. He doesn't have the instincts. Plenty of athleticism but he doesn't have a feel for the game. How does a kid get that? I guess we could hope he works his *** off, but what exactly has he been doing since arriving at campus if he hasn't been working already?

What happened to the kid his peers at the Game voted by overwhelming majority as THE guy they'd pick to be QB (aside from themselves)? Sean Clifford said he was a balller. This was in a group by the way that included Tua. WTF happened?
 

Titanium999

Redshirt
Jan 16, 2014
4,573
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TJ green was pretty good. He was in a quarterback battle. Will be pretty good at the quarterback position next year
 

jensberg

Sophomore
Jul 28, 2006
2,989
153
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What happened to the kid his peers at the Game voted by overwhelming majority as THE guy they'd pick to be QB (aside from themselves)? Sean Clifford said he was a balller. This was in a group by the way that included Tua. WTF happened?
 
May 29, 2001
45,734
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I don't think he is good enough to start for us, ever. He doesn't have the instincts. Plenty of athleticism but he doesn't have a feel for the game. How does a kid get that? I guess we could hope he works his *** off, but what exactly has he been doing since arriving at campus if he hasn't been working already?
I agree that he won't be good enough to start for us again, but for different reasons. He simply doesn't get the complicated McCall system. That isn't a mark against him, nobody does unless they put in 5 years. If he transferred, he certainly would be good enough for a stud program.

But he almost certainly has feel for the game, he displayed that in HS and at Clemson in his short stint there.

I think him, along with other 5 stars need to run far far away from programs like this one which simply are all about graduating players. 5 stars are elite and, like any other profession, need to utilize this time to develop their profession, i.e., football.

Schools like NU don't have the coaches and tools to provide to develop a player insomuch that they can even be capable at the Indy combine. Just doesn't make any sense to come here. What did make sense was HJ coming here because he wanted to be closer to his mother and lend support for her during her difficult times. That makes all the sense in why he came here.
 

Gocatsgo2003

All-Conference
Mar 30, 2006
47,035
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I agree that he won't be good enough to start for us again, but for different reasons. He simply doesn't get the complicated McCall system. That isn't a mark against him, nobody does unless they put in 5 years. If he transferred, he certainly would be good enough for a stud program.

But he almost certainly has feel for the game, he displayed that in HS and at Clemson in his short stint there.

I think him, along with other 5 stars need to run far far away from programs like this one which simply are all about graduating players. 5 stars are elite and, like any other profession, need to utilize this time to develop their profession, i.e., football.

Schools like NU don't have the coaches and tools to provide to develop a player insomuch that they can even be capable at the Indy combine. Just doesn't make any sense to come here. What did make sense was HJ coming here because he wanted to be closer to his mother and lend support for her during her difficult times. That makes all the sense in why he came here.

His mother’s situation had nothing to do with his transfer to NU. He transferred well before she was diagnosed. Don’t make **** up.
 

loyolacat

Freshman
Oct 21, 2006
2,721
67
48
Schools like NU don't have the coaches and tools to provide to develop a player insomuch that they can even be capable at the Indy combine. Just doesn't make any sense to come here
which is why we have so many two and 3 star recruits in the NFL
 

Gladeskat

All-Conference
Feb 16, 2004
116,627
1,823
113
What happened to the kid his peers at the Game voted by overwhelming majority as THE guy they'd pick to be QB (aside from themselves)? Sean Clifford said he was a balller. This was in a group by the way that included Tua. WTF happened?

It's tough in the arena.
 

DaCat

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
25,668
2,062
113
I agree that he won't be good enough to start for us again, but for different reasons. He simply doesn't get the complicated McCall system. That isn't a mark against him, nobody does unless they put in 5 years. If he transferred, he certainly would be good enough for a stud program.

But he almost certainly has feel for the game, he displayed that in HS and at Clemson in his short stint there.

I think him, along with other 5 stars need to run far far away from programs like this one which simply are all about graduating players. 5 stars are elite and, like any other profession, need to utilize this time to develop their profession, i.e., football.

Schools like NU don't have the coaches and tools to provide to develop a player insomuch that they can even be capable at the Indy combine. Just doesn't make any sense to come here. What did make sense was HJ coming here because he wanted to be closer to his mother and lend support for her during her difficult times. That makes all the sense in why he came here.

********.
 

Gocatsgo2003

All-Conference
Mar 30, 2006
47,035
3,387
78
Can’t tell if you’re serious or not.
NU does a terrible job of sending kids to the NFL.

Wisconsin got a former HS QB drafted as an OL in April.

David Edwards? Might have something to do with the fact that he now goes about 340.
 

nu greek

Freshman
Nov 11, 2001
3,146
97
38
I spent some time noticing Hunter Johnson on the sidelines today. He wasn't on the headset, no clipboard - for the most part he was receded on the sidelines, almost isolated - didn't spend much time talking to other players and never really noticed him interact with Aidan (which may have been an oversight on my part).

Maybe not a big deal, but does this not seem odd to other fans? I expect a top QB, theoretically the starter, to be "involved," even when he's not taking the snaps...
Sheff, I was watching HJ as well and noticed similar things. He just seemed to be totally disassociated with the rest of the offense. Didn't see him talk to anyone. I just think the kid has a lot on his mind and maybe football isn't one of them. I really hope it turns around for him.
 

NUCat320

Senior
Dec 4, 2005
19,469
495
0
Ok? He was already recruited as a big frame athlete, either TE or OT depending on growth potential.

This is great information.
My point is that anyone who believes NU somehow puts a disproportionate number of players in the nfl is very , very wrong.
 

Pukecat

Redshirt
Sep 30, 2018
615
0
0
Sheff, I was watching HJ as well and noticed similar things. He just seemed to be totally disassociated with the rest of the offense. Didn't see him talk to anyone. I just think the kid has a lot on his mind and maybe football isn't one of them. I really hope it turns around for him.
He's not going to be an NFL QB. He should think about retiring for now and focusing on his personal life.
 

Pukecat

Redshirt
Sep 30, 2018
615
0
0
I agree that he won't be good enough to start for us again, but for different reasons. He simply doesn't get the complicated McCall system. That isn't a mark against him, nobody does unless they put in 5 years. If he transferred, he certainly would be good enough for a stud program.

But he almost certainly has feel for the game, he displayed that in HS and at Clemson in his short stint there.

I think him, along with other 5 stars need to run far far away from programs like this one which simply are all about graduating players. 5 stars are elite and, like any other profession, need to utilize this time to develop their profession, i.e., football.

Schools like NU don't have the coaches and tools to provide to develop a player insomuch that they can even be capable at the Indy combine. Just doesn't make any sense to come here. What did make sense was HJ coming here because he wanted to be closer to his mother and lend support for her during her difficult times. That makes all the sense in why he came here.

No way. It's not THAT complicated. He's just not instinctive. He can't go through his reads quick enough; it doesn't come naturally for him. No offense to C.J., Mike, Dan, etc., but the offense isn't brain surgery. He's been here long enough to know the playbook. He simply can't execute it.
 
Aug 31, 2003
15,048
497
83
Sheff, I was watching HJ as well and noticed similar things. He just seemed to be totally disassociated with the rest of the offense. Didn't see him talk to anyone. I just think the kid has a lot on his mind and maybe football isn't one of them. I really hope it turns around for him.
We're not all gregarious and there's nothing wrong with that!
 

NUCat320

Senior
Dec 4, 2005
19,469
495
0
Currently 14 players on NFL rosters of which I think none were 4 or 5 stars...
https://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-depth-charts/active-nfl-players-by-college/northwestern/91464
As far as I can tell, only Minnesota, Indiana, and Purdue have fewer players in the NFL. (Illinois, Maryland, Rutgers, Nebraska have more. Didn’t check many others.)

Iowa has 34.

NU’s inability to put players in the NFL hurts NU during recruiting, I believe. We have seen an uptick of late, which is good. But the only reason we perceive NU to have lots of players in the nfl is because, for so long, that was a single-digit number. It’s still low, more than Duke, but less than Vandy, BC, and Stanford (which has 34).