Freshman phenom? CSU coach Mike Bobo likes WR Bisi Johnson

There might not be a deeper group of wide receivers in college football than what Mike Bobo has at CSU.

That’s not hyperbole. The Rams are stacked.

Rashard Higgins, Joe Hansley, Deionte Gaines, Xavier Williams, Cole Anderson, Elroy Masters, Jordon Vaden. The list goes on. You know their names, you’ve seen what they can do — if not over the past three seasons, then during spring ball. You’ve been impressed (if not amazed) to see the wide receiver position become the strongest part of Colorado State University’s offense after nearly a decade of trying to reach this point.

One name you might not be so familiar with: Bisi Johnson.

It’s not Higgins or Hansley being mentioned by Bobo daily after practice. No receiver has stood out to the first-year coach more than Johnson.

Johnson is inexperienced: a 6-foot, 180-pound incoming freshman from Bear Creek High School in Lakewood with 13 collegiate practices to his name. Getting on the field this season ahead of the stable of veterans who know the playbook won’t be easy. So how will Johnson become a freshman phenom?

Catch the ball.

“Every time he’s in there, he’s productive,” Bobo said. “Bisi has not had a lot of reps, but when he’s in there, he makes plays, he’s productive. Now he did have a fumble (Monday), he didn’t hold onto the ball. But I don’t care if they know a 10th of the playbook. If they’re a play maker and can change the game, we’ve got to find a way to get them on the field as coaches.”

Johnson had two catches for 31 yards in Saturday’s scrimmage at Hughes Stadium. As a senior at Bear Creek, he rushed for 698 yards and had 402 yards receiving and 12 total touchdowns.

CSU is set at wide receiver, but with the increased emphasis defenses will place on Higgins this season, having another potential star in the making will serve the Rams well.

For insight and analysis on athletics around Northern Colorado and the Mountain West, follow sports columnist Matt L. Stephens at twitter.com/mattstephens and facebook.com/stephensreporting.