Bear Creek’s Olabisi Johnson taking unique set of skills to CSU
LAKEWOOD — Bear Creek senior Olabisi Johnson was the Jack-of-all-trades for the Bears on the football field last fall.
Johnson racked up more than 1,500 yards of total offense running, receiving, along with returning kickoffs and punts. Not to mention leading the team with more than 100 tackles.
“He meant everything. We put him all over the field this year,” Bear Creek coach Zach Morris said of the Bears’ standout that signed Wednesday morning to continue his athletic and academic career at Colorado State University. “Three-year starter, a guy we knew we could count on day-in and day-out. We didn’t have to worry about him in the classroom or off the field, which was fantastic. He was a crucial piece.”
After admittedly two tough seasons with records of 2-8 and 3-7, Johnson was a cornerstone in the resurgence by Bear Creek’s football program. The Bears finished with a 7-4 record, along with a first-round playoff victory.
Robinson had verbally committed to CSU during the summer, but a wrench got thrown into the mix when Rams’ head coach Jim McElwain left CSU to take the head-coaching job at the University of Florida on Dec. 4. However, new CSU coach Mike Bobo retained assistant coaches Marty English, who recruited Johnson, and Alvis Whitted, receivers coach, the decision to stay with the Rams didn’t change for Johnson.
“I love Colorado State because it’s close to home and Fort Collins is a great place,” Johnson said. “It’s really exciting. I’m ready to have the next chapter of my life start.”
The question now is where on the football field will Johnson fit for the Rams. It’s likely that Johnson will join CSU’s wide receiving core that features Rashard Higgins, first consensus All-American at CSU since 1995.
Johnson has been in contact via Twitter with an out-of-state recruit J.C. Robles. A 6-foot-5, 202 quarterback from California that signed Wednesday with CSU.
“He seems like a real good guy,” Johnson said of Robles. “I’m excited to get to know him.”
Robles was a nice addition to a solid in-state haul by the Rams than includes Milo Hall (Cherry Creek), Salofi Gaoa (Rocky Mountain), Richard King (Rangeview), Chukwuma Obinnah (Grandview) and Braxton Davis (Poudre).
Focusing on just offense is welcoming for Johnson.
“It gets confusing learning all the plays on offense and defense,” Johnson said. “Coach Bobo has a good idea of what we are going to do. We are going to run a no-huddle offense, so we’ll be moving.”
Johnson isn’t done moving at a high rate of speed for the Bears. The 6-foot-1, 186-pound senior will run for Bear Creek’s track team this spring. Johnson is the defending Class 5A state champion in the 110-meter hurdles.
“I definitely need to get that state championship in the 110 (hurdles) again,” Johnson said. “I’m hoping to do better in some of my other events and then we have a 4×100 relay that is looking pretty good this year. We’ll have some pretty fast guys.”
Johnson’s final prep action will likely be at the state track meet in May at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. A place Johnson has spent countless hours competing at on the football field and on the track over his four years at Bear Creek.
“I haven’t thought about it a lot yet. It will be good to finish there (Jeffco Stadium),” Johnson said of his prep career coming to an end. “I love track. I got thrown into it freshman year and found a love for it. It will be hard to let go.”
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