UNI’s David Johnson gearing up for senior season

CEDAR FALLS - Northern Iowa running back David Johnson is dreaming of playing in the NFL.

For now, however, the senior is focusing on climbing career charts for the Panthers. He's in the top 10 for career rushing yards, touchdowns and points.

He wraps up his final spring practice in tonight's spring game at 6:30 in the UNI-Dome.

'I just have to play my game,” Johnson said. 'I'm close to some of the records here and if everything works out well I feel like I have a great chance of getting to some of those records.

'It just shows that we have a good offense, good quarterback and good line to open up the pocket and spread out the defense and everything else.”

Johnson is accepting additional responsibility heading into his final season.

'I need to step up ... and be that leader for the younger guys, if not the whole team,” Johnson said.

'Being a senior and playing in so many games, you kind of have to. It's instilled in me, I guess.”

Much like last season, Johnson hasn't taken many hits during spring practice in an effort to avoid injury.

'(UNI Coach Mark Farley) knows what's right and has been coaching for a long time,” said Johnson, who rushed for 1,286 yards last fall and had 393 receiving yards. 'If he has me take off a little bit, I can do it - especially with all the running backs we have this year.”