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The best part of rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson’s game hasn’t even been on display yet. Johnson has been widely known for his tackle breaking ability both as a receiver and punt returner and Troy and then Oregon with a speciality in making people miss. But with the team in shorts and helmets, there hasn’t been much contact as the players ramp up to playing in pads coming up this week.

Johnson has still found ways to have his presence felt throughout camp. He scored a touchdown during Sunday’s practice during goal-line drills and has built chemistry with all three quarterbacks that are throwing in practice. It almost feels like it’s an appetizer for what’s to come with Tez Johnson when he can fully show his abilities.

Bucs WR Tez Johnson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“College and the NFL are a little different with punt return,” “Punt return in the NFL the gunners go at you. In college, everybody runs at you so in college I kind of made two people miss at a time. So when I catch the ball on offense I try to make a guy miss regardless of the situation. I’m trying to go for 60 and make the crowd yell. That ties into everything, making people miss is what I do and I kind of tie it into everything I do on the field.”

Tez Johnson’s Move Works Every Time

The expertise of a good tackle breaker is having more than one move in the repertoire. While he didn’t want to divulge the secret formula to his success, he did give intel on what move that works for him every single time.

“I don’t want to give it away, but I’ll tell you one of them, they go for it every time. Every time I’m running and I give them a look away and I go back the other day, some how some way, the no look. Just look and ‘No, I’m not going that way,’ and I’m running this way. They always go for it. It works, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”

Where he learned the move comes as no shocker.

“Bucky (Irving)” he said.

What’s also been learned about Tez Johnson in his brief time in Tampa Bay is that he has an extensive football memory and knowledge of the game. We’ve all been made aware about his close friendship with Bucs’ running back Bucky Irving and how he watches Irving’s tape from college and his rookie year with the Bucs. Johnson could easily recall the moment in which Irving did the “look away” move while also informing everyone of when Johnson himself did it at Oregon, too.

“Watch the Giants game when he crosses the (middle of the) field with Baker. You see him running straight and a big guy running to him. You see his head and miss, he cut back the other way and got far. It never fails. For some reason it never fails. I did it (in the) Illinois game and dove for the pylon. It works.”

Bucs RB Bucky Irving And WR Tez Johnson’s Tackle Breaking Ability

Many remember the 56-yard scamper by Irving with Baker Mayfield as a lead blocker. Check out the video.

Johnson’s own play he was referencing can be found in the first sequence of this video as well. Looking one way and then heading in the other direction.

Being drafted in the seventh round doesn’t guarantee a spot for Tez Johnson on this team by any means. But with Chris Godwin injured, Kameron Johnson missing Sunday’s practice and Johnson making more of a splash than other competition like Rakim Jarrett, Sterling Shepard and Trey Palmer, it would be surprising if Johnson didn’t at least make it on the practice squad if not the active roster.

Bucs WR Tez Johnson and CB Benjamin Morrison – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

It might be as a punt returner, a gadget guy, a deep ball threat or a receiver that can catch and run. He will immerse himself into the team in any way possible.”

“I see myself in a lot of roles, but only time will tell. [I’m] still just putting my head down and working. I’ve just got to come out here every day and work and get better, because there are a lot of great guys on this team.”