AMHERST – Josiah Johnson may soon have something in common with Cam Newton.
They might both know what it’s like to back up Mac Jones. Though the New England Patriots’ quarterback competition is far from settled, by most accounts Jones, the first-round pick from Alabama, has given himself a chance to start during Newton’s COVID-19 testing-related absence.
Johnson, a former quarterback for the UMass football team that now plays tight end, backed up Jones for three years when both attended the Bolles School in Jacksonville, Fla.
“I’ve texted him a couple times. Obviously he’s extremely busy,” Johnson said. “I’ll probably, during the offseason, when he’s off and I’m off, see if I can get a throwing session or two with him, let me see how he’s doing. But the texts that I’ve been able to do with him, he said he’s doing great, he’s got a nice apartment, doing well.”
Though the former Bulldogs quarterbacks haven’t linked up in New England yet, Johnson is pulling for Jones as he begins his NFL career.
“He’s doing absolutely phenomenal right now. It’s just crazy how I played with him, I was super close with him and seeing what he’s doing right now on a national level, it’s pretty awesome,” Johnson said. “I’m definitely rooting for him.”
In the past, Johnson getting together with Jones for a throwing session would have meant both throwing. Now Jones would likely throw to Johnson after he took on tight end responsibilities last year. The redshirt sophomore made the switch full time in January.
He’s still picking up some of the position’s nuances and trying to expand his frame.
“The main thing is I’ve got to keep gaining the weight. I’m getting the technique down,” Johnson said. “So that’s huge, and I’m just able to use my athleticism and play the game. Once I get my weight to where I want it, I feel like that’s when I’ll feel like a real tight end.”
Johnson was UMass’ third-leaving receiver last season with three catches for 48 yards. He’s now a member of a stacked tight end room that includes four true freshmen brimming with athleticism and experienced grad students Taylor Edwards and Jaret Pallotta (another former quarterback).
“(UMass) Coach (Walt) Bell is taking more of a direction to get us more involved. We’ve got multiple tight end sets, two, three tight ends running routes to give confusion to the defenses,” Johnson said. “As you can see, we’ve got some pretty talented tight ends. It’s great for mismatches to get us out there.”
THURSDAY’S PRACTICE – The Minutemen once again faced blistering temperatures on the turf Thursday. The weather soared into the 90s amid a heat advisory. They took a hydration/snack break late in practice to energize.
Bell, a native Tennessean, may have been one of the few happy about the conditions.
“It was a really good day. Good heat. God provided some adversity for us at practice,” he said. “Any adversity we can have at practice to put pressure on our communications or thinking when we’re tired, those are all good things.”
“We’re preparing as hard as we can, as fast as we can, to get as good as we can in time.â€@coachwaltbell checks in after another hot morning on the practice field. Nine days ’til Pitt…..#Flagship🚩 pic.twitter.com/dBcrs7oRt5
— UMass Football (@UMassFootball) August 26, 2021
UMass’ offense and scout teams also earned the head football coach’s praise.
“Pitched and catched well, good focus in walkthroughs,” he said.
HEALTH CLUB – Defensive back Noah Boykin practiced in pads and a helmet for the second day after missing time with a broken finger. He wore a yellow non-contact jersey and had a massive cast on his right hand.
“He’ll be non-contact for a couple days then he’ll be rockin’ and rollin,’” Bell said.
Bell said the Minutemen are largely healthy with nine days until the Sept. 4 season opener at Pittsburgh.
“As we get closer there will be some guys that will be right up until practice week,” he added. “but we’re good right now.”
ON THE FENCE – UMass is in its final week of preseason camp, as the calendar will flip to game week prep next week. But the Minutemen already have turned an eye toward preparing for the Panthers.
“From a schedule standpoint, it’s still fall camp, but from a focus and preparation standpoint, it’s all Pitt,” Bell said.
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylegrbwsk.