Mississippi State retreats Dillon Johnson He announced he was entering the transfer portal on Wednesday and had some parting words for Bulldogs coach Mike Leach on his way out.
In a statement issued to Johnson’s Twitter accountHe thanked his family and friends for their support, as well as Mississippi State’s players, coaches and fans, who he credited with helping him develop character and skills.
“Since I’m not too tough and Leach is happy for me to leave, I will enter my name on the transfer portal in hopes of finding a playing environment that suits me best,” Johnson wrote.
Sources told ESPN that Johnson’s name had not been entered into the transfer portal as of Wednesday night.
Johnson, a junior from Greenville, Mississippi, did not respond to ESPN’s request for comment. It appears he will not play against Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida on Jan. 2.
In a text message to ESPN on Wednesday, Leach wrote: “We only comment on players in our program at this time. Regardless, we wish him the best in the future.”
Johnson rushed 89 times for 488 yards with three touchdowns this season, while catching 48 passes for 285 yards. In the No. 22 Bulldogs’ 24-22 win at rival Ole Miss on Nov. 24, he rushed for 73 yards on 12 carries and caught eight passes for 46 yards.
After that game, Johnson told reporters that the Bulldogs needed to be more balanced on offense. Mississippi State ranked next to last in the FBS in rushing yards at 78.8 yards per game. Only Boston College (63.3) was worse.
“I feel like we have to run the ball,” Johnson said. “It will come.”
Johnson is the No. 2 out of Mississippi in the 2020 ESPN 300. 41 was an athlete and number 13.
