Ready when they need you

IOWA CITY -- You can't really have "journeymen" in college football. It's not like professional sports, where a jersey is a piece of laundry that can be changed at the whim of a general manager.

No, barring transfer, it's a four- or five-year marriage.

It only feels as though Troy Johnson is a journeyman.

"He's one of those guys like in baseball who can do a lot of things," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said.

Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 235-pounder, has spent his five years backing up every linebacker spot. He has two career starts under his belt at middle linebacker. You might remember his Big Ten "defensive player of the week" performance against Minnesota in the '09 finale. Then, in the Hawkeyes' 24-3 victory over Penn State, Johnson started for the injured Jeff Tarpinian. He made it about 10 plays before leaving with a concussion.

"He hit someone and knocked himself out," strong safety Tyler Sash said. "He can cover, he can support the run. He's in charge of the defense when he's out there. He's doing a good job with that."

Johnson could be the man in the middle when No. 15 Iowa (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) travels to Michigan (5-1, 1-1) for a showdown with quarterback Denard Robinson, the early-season Heisman Trophy frontrunner and talk of college football.

When Ferentz was asked about Tarpinian's availability this week, he said, "He's got a shot. I don't know if it's a good shot, we'll see. But he's got a shot."

So, 50-50 at best for Tarpinian. That leaves Johnson in the middle of Iowa's defense, which by design funnels everything to the middle, against Robinson, who's second in the nation in rushing (165.2 yards a game) and total offense (369.0).

Johnson is OK with this. It's OK to be nervous, he said. It's what you do with it that matters.

"I think you get nervous for every game, but in a good way, like you're ready to play," said Johnson, who has nine tackles and a pass breakup this season. "I think it helps me perform better, if I'm nervous. If I wasn't nervous, it probably wouldn't be fun anymore and I probably wouldn't be playing."

But Johnson is still playing, and don't discount that. He's fifth-year senior who's spent the majority of his career as a backup. Usually, if players aren't playing, they're transferring.

Johnson, who's from Lakeland, Fla., stuck it out. A fifth-year senior who can step in and start and play stalwart special teams is worth his weight in gold. Johnson has been that guy.

"Troy is a guy who's been with us five years, really is a good player, a dependable player, and for us to be successful we need guys like that on our football team," Ferentz said. "We're really glad he's here."

You want to say Iowa is lucky to have a fifth-year senior to bank on as a backup. Senior center Josh Koeppel is another example. Senior linebacker Ross Petersen, a walk-on, is another.

But saying it's luck is would be dismissing the culture that produces diligent seniors who don't often have their names heard over the Kinnick Stadium PA system.

"We're surrounded by good players," Johnson said. "There were great players before us and we love being here, pretty much. That's why we're here."

The hard part is being ready when you're needed. Middle linebacker against Penn State is a great example.

Tarpinian suffered a neck stinger against Ball State. He missed a ton of practice leading up to the Nittany Lions and so Johnson got the start. After about a quarter, he found himself on the bench with his helmet off and wondering what happened. Then, it was James Morris' turn.

The circumstances that led up to Johnson's start against Minnesota last season went like this: Jeremiha Hunter suffered an injury at Ohio State. Tarpinian went in and suffered a partially torn MCL. Johnson gets the start in the season finale against Minnesota.

The real marvel of all this is being ready at a moment's notice. That's a magnificent blend of coaching (making sure everyone is listening and engaged) and character (having the fortitude to engage when you might not see a down).

"I don't think it's too much of a challenge," Johnson said. "Everyone prepares as if they're going to play. I prepare as if I'm going to play every week, watching film and practice. I think that's how it is with everyone on the team. That's how it has to be if you want to have a successful team."

They all take a journey. You don't see the path for some, but be glad they're there.

This is Troy Johnson. With Jeff Tarpinian possibly out, he's a senior linebacker who might be making his third career start Saturday against Michigan in the Big House. Johnson is a new face here. They're always welcomed.