Tyler Johnson stood along the sideline at the Sun Bowl in El Paso. The Sun Devils had just polished off Florida State to cap off a successful season. Johnson did his part, recovering a fumble with 1:27 to play and FSU driving for a potential game-winning touchdown to help the Sun Devils seal a 20-14 victory.

Teammates around him celebrated but Johnson was a little more subdued. Perhaps it was the reality sinking in. He had already made the decision that game was going to be his last — two painful, injury-plagued seasons taking their toll physically.

That was December. 

Johnson went about his business, even taking a 9-to-5 job.

Fast forward to March, shortly after the coronavirus shut down spring practice after seven sessions, the 6-foot-4, 285-pounder had a change of heart.

“I talked to a lot of guys at the next level. They were giving me a lot of information and telling me that it’s not too late to go back. They were telling me I was making a mistake. They got me to see the bigger picture,” Johnson said, after a practice earlier this week. “I kept in touch with [ASU co-defensive coordinator Antonio] Pierce while I was gone and, again, I came in and talked to [head coach Herm Edwards] and got a lot of stuff off our chests. After that talk he let me come back which I’m very, very grateful for. I’ve been working ever since and keeping my head down and chugging along.”

Johnson admits he has a lot of trust in the ASU coaching staff, Lewis in particular. His father Bill was a defensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1995 when Lewis was on the staff there. The Steelers went to the Super Bowl that year which was played at Sun Devil Stadium.

“It’s pretty unique and I cherish it because I’m able to go to him and ask him certain questions about the game,” Tyler said. “We talk about little stories and such but mostly about football and a lot of key things that he either taught my dad or I’ll ask him certain things to work on during practice whether it be hands, feet, stuff like that. His word means a lot and I cherish all of the information that he gives me.”

The Sun Devils are happy to have him, the product of Highland High School, back in the fold — and finally healthy.

As a redshirt freshman in 2018 Johnson worked his way into the starting lineup in the second half of the season. After playing just 61 total snaps in the team’s first six games, he played on 394 snaps over the final seven. In that last stretch he managed 20 quarterback pressures,.

Last season he recorded 22 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in 10 games in a season in which he was never healthy. 

He missed all of spring drills after having surgery for a torn labrum and rotator cuff. The injury occurred on the opening kickoff of the first game in 2018 but wasn’t diagnosed until later and he played through the pain.

He comes into the new season healthy and working at a position that better suits him. He had excelled at linebacker but will be shifting to defensive end with the Sun Devils moving from the 3-3-5 it had played to the more conventional four-man front.

Johnson is generally regarded as the team’s best pass rusher so he is excited about being part of the new scheme. He’ll be at one end with junior Jermayne Lole at the other.

“As of right now, based off of last year when we were running the 3-3-5, I was basically blitzing almost every play,” he said. “It was either tackles or guards or stuff like that. Changing the defense to a 4-3 and having my hand in the ground all the time and being able to work consistently at pass-rushing, it’s a good fit for me. It’s a good thing that we’re doing right now.”

Those around Johnson see a renewed love of the game.

“It’s time to put his hand in the dirt and have him be a guy that can just rush the passer and get after it. But he’s always been, obviously, a very productive player here for us and the program, and I’m excited for him because he’s happy. He looks happy, he looks at peace, he looks like he’s OK with the decision he made to come back and we’re happy to have him,” Pierce said.

Johnson isn’t looking back, only forward to the Nov. 7 season opener against USC.

“I was getting up in the morning, going to work, coming home, I was dead set. It’s kind of crazy how, over time, things change drastically. And I’m very grateful coach Herm allowed me to come back and finish what I started. I do graduate this semester, so if I can finish off football and school, be able to get on a good note, it’ll be good.”

Depth chart taking shape

Thursday’s practice marked the first in full pads. There has yet to be any live tackling, something Edwards says might come in a scrimmage further down the road. It’s something he isn’t necessarily a fan of in the first place.

“We want to do things right, be in good tackling position, thudding guys, not being on the ground. We’ll get in the mode and have some live tackling.”

There are three weeks left before the season-opener and Edwards says roles are just about defined.

“We’re starting to develop our packages — offense, defense and special teams. Starting to let players know that there’s not enough reps to go around like in training camp,” he said. “We’re getting to that point now we have to hone in on the players that are going to be involved in all three of those phases.”

ASU still debating parents at games

The Pac-12 CEO Group voted Wednesday to allow parents and other family members of athletes to attend competitions this fall but they will have to do so in accordance with local health officials.

The Pac-12 had initially prohibited any spectators from going to football games and other sports events this fall but a petition began circulating earlier this week asking officials to reconsider.

Ultimately it is up to each school to make a decision on what is best for its situation. A spokesman for ASU says that issue is still being discussed and an announcement will be made closer to the start of the season.

The Sun Devils first home game is on Nov. 14 against Cal.

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602 444-4783.  Follow her on Twitter @MGardnerSports.

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