USF Football: 5 breakout candidates for the Bulls in 2017

D’Ernest Johnson has spent the past three years living in Marlon Mack’s shadow. The four-star recruit from Miami arrived in Tampa as part of the same 2014 recruiting class as Mack. Both earned playing time as true freshman and remained one and two on the depth chart for the next three years.

Mack entrenched himself as the starter with three straight 1,000-yard seasons. Johnson was left to sweep up whatever carries he could as Mack’s understudy. Now that the three-year starter departed school early to enter the 2017 NFL Draft, though, Johnson has his opportunity to take the reins and showcase his own skills in the South Florida rushing attack.

In his chances on the field, Johnson has been utilized both as a rusher and a receiver out of the backfield. Over three years he rushed for exactly 1,000 yards on 222 carries, punching in nine scores along the way. The backup added another 62 receptions for 756 yards and 10 scores. In addition, he threw two touchdowns as a sophomore in 2015 and has been a valuable asset in the return game.

Now that the spotlight is his to enjoy, Johnson is going to break out and demonstrate his own talents in the USF offense in 2017. Getting around 200 carries this year, he should break 1000 yards and add another 500 receiving yards with around 15 total touchdowns. Johnson will break out to become one of the best running backs in the nation in 2017.