Marcus Johnson knew he had to do something different.

What was supposed to be his breakout junior season in 2014 turned into a dud for Johnson, as he watched another upperclassman – John Harris – snatch his reps and catches because the senior simply played better.

Now entering senior year himself, Johnson knows time is in short supply.

“The biggest thing was extra work finding ways to do more,” Johnson said of his offseason. “When I looked back on the season I had and missed opportunities, I wanted to know what kind of work I could do to make sure that never happened again.”

For Johnson that labor meant a total overhaul of his workout regime. What he did with strength and conditioning coach Pat Moorer remained the same, but his individual effort outside of organized activities shifted.

The drills varied, but Johnson would always work with the jug machine twice a day for extra reps. In addition to that, he would often take junior quarterback Tyrone Swoopes out for 1-on-1 work while running with weighted vests. Sometimes, Johnson said he would run stadiums when he finished.

“Everything I’ve done so far is to be more prepared for the season,” Johnson said.

Perhaps most importantly for the Longhorns, Johnson never did these activities alone. The senior would call different teammates up depending on the day to push them out for extra practice.

Johnson -- never a particularly expressive player -- knew he needed to elevate into a leadership role as a senior, and extra work with his teammates is the best way he figured he could do so. It wasn’t just wide receivers either. Johnson dragged defensive backs, linebackers and even running backs out for his daily routines.

“I brought my teammates along with me,” Johnson said. “I wasn’t out there by myself. Everything I’m telling them, I’m doing that. I’m not a huge vocal leader, so I need to lead by example.”

The coaches have taken notice of Johnson’s efforts, too.

“He’s been our leader,” wide receivers coach Jay Norvell said. “He’s been a great example to younger players. He has very few opportunities left to reach his goals, and his focused is heightened.”

After a breakout sophomore campaign in which Johnson averaged 15.9 yards per catch and scored two touchdowns, Johnson’s 313-yard and one-touchdown effort as a junior proved a major disappointment. Johnson found himself passed on the depth chart by Harris, a player who had previously thought about quitting under the previous regime.

Instead, Harris improved and reeled in 68 balls for 1,051 yards and 7 touchdowns last season.

Harris had the season many expected from Johnson. Now, the Longhorns need Johnson to make a similar unexpected leap.

“You look at Marcus, and he’s as talented of more talented than John (Harris) was,” head coach Charlie Strong said. “So can he step up and become that guy?”

Johnson wants and expects that answer to be yes. Early on in camp, Johnson has worked with the first-team and has been a favorite target of Swoopes during team activities. Johnson is also leading from the front; he’s almost always the first Longhorn wide out in line for drills.

His Longhorn career has one last breath, and Johnson doesn’t want to squander it.

“What I should have done last year, I’ve learned from it,” Johnson said. ““I’m more of a well-rounded receiver. I’ll be more polished, and they’ll be able to see that when they put it on the field.”