Redshirt senior safety Keelan Johnson (10) dives at former Boise State running back Doug Martin for a tackle during the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas last December. Johnson’s commitment to improving both on the field and in the classroom led to his teammates voting for him as a team captain. (Photo by Lisa Bartoli)ASU coach Todd Graham gathered the football team after practice Sunday and announced the squad’s four captains.
Two spots were already locked in for senior running back Cameron Marshall and redshirt senior linebacker Brandon Magee. Redshirt senior offensive lineman Andrew Sampson was voted in on offense.
And to Graham’s surprise, redshirt senior safety Keelan Johnson was voted in as captain.
“It was kind of shocking,” Johnson said. “I thought it would’ve been (junior safety) Alden Darby, but a lot of the guys (have) seen the work I’ve been putting in and the change I’ve been making.”
The latest honor for Johnson caps what has been a diligent and attentive offseason — on and off the field.
With a new regime at the helm to start the year, Graham quickly laid the foundation of discipline and character on the team when he arrived in Tempe.
Johnson wanted to demand more out of himself during his last season as a Sun Devil, but he wasn’t sure what exactly Graham was doing.
However, as Johnson noticed the players changing step-by-step, he began to buy into the program.
“Whenever you hear my name ‘Keelan Johnson,’ you always hear a ‘potential’ tag with it,” Johnson said. “It’s just time I put those two together.”
Johnson has the talent. He has the physical attributes and the athleticism.
Now he is focused on bringing everything together, going above and beyond the minimum during workouts. Darby said he could recall Johnson texting him to get to the field an hour before workouts.
“It has been a full 180 (degrees),” Darby said, who voted for Johnson as team captain. “He just knew this year he had to emerge as that guy, and all offseason he’s worked (the) hardest out of all of us. He has put in the overtime that has made him excel. All the praises that he’s getting, he deserves it all.”
Johnson said the drive came knowing this was his last season. It’s his last time playing with his friends in the secondary like Darby, redshirt junior Osahon Irabor and redshirt senior Deveron Carr.
Johnson added he didn’t want to leave these guys in the same fashion as last season’s meltdown. The Sun Devils lost their last five games to finish 6-7 after starting the season 5-1.
“I couldn’t leave these guys like the seniors left us: with that sour taste in our mouths knowing that you can’t do anything about it the year after once it’s your last year,” Johnson said.
The evolution continued in the classroom, where Johnson knew he could do better if he applied himself.
Gone are the days of completing the bare minimum and accepting a “C” or a “D.” Johnson’s proudest accomplishment is being named as a “Scholar Baller,” which recognizes student-athletes with a 3.0 GPA.
“It’s the first time I really applied myself to my school work, applied myself to my workouts and just applied myself to football,” Johnson said. “Just applying myself each step at a time has evolved me as a person and changed me as a person.”
Johnson entered fall camp and in the first team scrimmage on Aug. 11, Graham said he had two interceptions.
“He tries hard day in and day out,” Magee said. “He’s a real leader between the safeties and the defensive staff. He gives 100 percent. He’s had some big scrimmage games, big practices and a lot of interceptions. He makes big plays.”
So while Graham was surprised, Magee wasn’t by Johnson’s captain selection. He felt Johnson was always on the cusp of breaking out.
This offseason, he finally did.
Now he’ll be sporting two patches on his jersey, both for the first time.
“That Scholar Baller patch and that ‘C’ on my chest, those are great displays of character that coach Graham has brought to the program,” Johnson said.
Not a bad way to kick off your senior season.
Reach the reporter at mstesfats@asu.edu
