Steelers Now
UNITY TWP, Pa. – When the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Kaleb Johnson, it was expected that he’d complement Jaylen Warren’s rushing style. Warren is a refined pass protector – something Johnson wanted to improve upon. At Friday Night Lights, the progress was on display. The former Iowa running back spoke to reporters on Sunday and credited Warren and his position coach.
Johnson got his teammates and coaches pumped up Friday night under the lights. He matched up against an exceptional thumper in linebacker Mark Robinson. Robinson has made his mark as a powerful run stopper and special-teams block buster.
However, Robinson met his match twice against Johnson. Running backs coach Eddie Faulkner was notably the most pumped up, a result of a long process of hard work.
“[Faulkner] was telling me about my technique and making sure I applied my technique to actual play,” Johnson told reporters. “I did that and he was proud of me for it.”
Johnson told reporters that it has been a process. However, repetition and coaching have helped him along thus far.
If there is one teammate in the room who has played great pass-pro, it’s a fourth-year back out of Oklahoma State. When asked if Warren’s mentorship has helped, Johnson was quick to praise.
“It’s meant a lot to me,” Johnson said of Warren’s willingness to help him grow. “I’m helping him, he’s helping me … I’m just blowing his head off with questions and stuff like that.”
What has made Warren such a valuable mentor to Johnson is that Warren has been there and done that.
“He did it, you know? He knows what needs to be done after here.” Johnson told reporters.
Johnson also told reporters that Warren constantly asks him what he wants to get better at. It is safe to say Warren has been an exceptional leader for the rookie.
The Steelers play in Jacksonville on Saturday. While he appreciates the preseason work, he is ready for live game action.
“It’s gonna be awesome. It’s one of my dreams,” Johnson told reporters. “I’m ready to go out there and keep doing me.”
The Steelers will battle the Jaguars at 7 PM on Saturday. One thing is for sure for the rookie running back: he will have plenty of opportunities to show what he can do.
Alan Saunders and Brendan Howe provided reporting from Saint Vincent College.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: One Key Area Still Work in Progress for Steelers Rookie Kaleb Johnson
