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2-Minute Drill: Rod Johnson faces tall task of containing Kentucky defensive ends
By Drew Laing
Published:
When tackle DJ Humphries went down with an ankle injury last week against Eastern Michigan, questions were raised at just how the Gatos would rotate their offensive line to accommodate Humphries’ absence.
Earlier today on SEC Nation, Florida head coach Will Muschamp answered those questions by announcing that sophomore Rod Johnson will be the starting right tackle tonight in his first collegiate start.
And what a night for his first start.
Johnson will have the pleasure of containing All-SEC defensive end Bud Dupree, along with sophomore standout Jason Hatcher and senior Za’Darius Smith. It’s arguably Kentucky’s strongest position group as all three players are very physical, especially Dupree who could be one of the top athletes in the next NFL draft class.
These three players have combined for 20 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks. Keeping them out of the backfield will be essential to the success of Florida’s offense tonight and a big part of that responsibility will fall on Johnson’s 6-foot-6, 310-pound frame.
“In my opinion, he’s going to be very good. He played extremely well early on in the game,” Muschamp said about Johnson earlier this week. “Rod is certainly capable of playing very well.”
The Gators and Wildcats kickoff tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET in The Swamp.
Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.
