photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas wide receiver Kerr Johnson Jr. (14) hangs on to a deep catch on his shoulder pad as cornerback Corione Harris reaches for him during an open practice on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at Memorial Stadium.

At the conclusion of spring football, University of Kansas standout receiver Steven Sims Jr., asked to identify teammates who impressed during the team’s 15 practices, did not hesitate with his answer.

“Kerr, for sure,” Sims replied, referencing Kerr Johnson Jr., a former junior college wideout entering his second season in the program. “Kerr ‘The Blur.’ He stuck out a lot to us, and he’s gonna make a lot of plays for us this year. I can’t wait.”

A 5-foot-11, 193-pound target from Santa Rosa, Calif., Johnson began showing off his speed and playmaking in flashes a year earlier, upon arriving at KU as a spring 2017 enrollee.

“But it’s just he’s making them all the time now,” Sims shared. “That’s the only thing I could say, is he’s making those big plays more and more often.”

Johnson’s KU teammates and coaches don’t get credit for coining his nickname. He said during a recent appearance on 1320 KLWN’s Rock Chalk Sports Talk, with Nick Schwerdt, that speed long has served as his “number-one weapon” on the gridiron. Johnson’s background in track made him a natural receiver at Analy High (Calif.).

“I would just run streaks all day,” Johnson recalled. “And then, my high school coach started calling me (Kerr ‘The Blur’), and then my parents started catching on.”

The moniker eventually traveled with him to Lawrence, too, after Johnson spent two seasons at Santa Rosa Junior College.

“He’s got some quick feet for sure,” fellow KU receiver Evan Fairs corroborated.

By all accounts, adding 13 pounds since joining the Jayhawks hasn’t impeded Johnson’s most valuable attribute, either. At the team’s open spring practice for fans, he caught three passes, including one deep ball from another Golden State native and juco transfer, sophomore quarterback Miles Kendrick, while being closely covered by Corione Harris.

One of six Jayhawks from California, according to the most-recently published roster, Johnson, a laid-back, quiet senior, said he had no problem fitting in with a team comprised primarily of Midwesterners and Texans.

“It’s definitely a lot of fun being with people from different places and seeing how they act and, like, their culture and stuff, our differences and stuff, but I really enjoy it,” Johnson said. “As far as on the field, it’s pretty much football is football. … The way we communicate and how we draw stuff up or what we call stuff might be different, but as far as how we play, it’s pretty much all the same.”

Fourth-year KU coach David Beaty complimented Johnson for his consistency during the spring. After contributing only eight receptions for 92 yards while appearing in all 12 games in 2017, Johnson thinks he will be capable of playing a more significant role this coming fall.

“Definitely a lot more focused this year,” Johnson said. “Last year kind of had a lot of distractions — I was new, new place, new people. And now, I’m kind of comfortable and just able to do my thing and work extra and really talk to people and try and get better.”

Those who know him best, Johnson’s fellow receivers, are bullish on his abilities.

“He had a great spring,” Jeremiah Booker endorsed. “He’s athletic. He’s talented. Great energy. Great effort. On film, you always see him going full speed. He makes a play when it comes his way and he’s focused.”