Chris Bahn: Razorbacks' Johnson Embracing, Excelling As Return Man

It's hard to imagine there was a time when Dennis Johnson was turned off by the idea of returning kicks for Arkansas. But coaches had to ask Johnson twice during his freshman season to consider the job before he reluctantly accepted it.

"I didn't expect to be a kick returner when I got here. I was really a running back," Johnson told reporters Monday. "I didn't think I was going to do that well. Not as well as I'm doing."

Seems like the job suits Johnson, a 5-9, 205-pound Texarkana native, just fine. His compact size and speed are what led coach Bobby Petrino and staff to ask Johnson to consider the return role he now fully embraces.

Earlier this week Johnson earned his second Southeastern Conference special teams player of the week honor.

Johnson, a sophomore from Texarkana, was recognized for a performance that included 145 kick return yards on three attempts. Johnson's 70-yard return in the third quarter swung momentum back in the Razorbacks' favor during their 44-23 victory.

Auburn was within 34-23 before Johnson's return set up another Arkansas touchdown. The Razorbacks scored seven plays later to push their lead to 41-23.

Johnson leads the conference with a 33.8 yards per return average. Twice against Auburn he helped set up scores by giving the Razorbacks favorable field position.

He's a guy that really understands what we're doing scheme-wise and then he's fast enough and quick enough to make plays on his own," Petrino said.

Petrino on Dennis Johnson's performance:

Coaches were impressed with Johnson in 2008. He averaged a respectable 22.1 yards per return, including a 96-yard touchdown against Tulsa.