Oklahoma State University Athletics
Charlie Johnson Makes Move from Tight End to Offensive Line
September 20, 2005 | Cowboy Football
For senior Charlie Johnson, this year has been one of many changes.
For the past three seasons, Johnson has worn No. 80, played tight end and weighed less.
But in his final year as an Oklahoma State Cowboy, he has become a different player.
Gone are the days of rotating with current NFL tight end Billy Bajema, now he is a 300-pound offensive lineman who wears jersey No. 71.
"It was just one of those things where the coaching staff left and this one came in, and then we approached a decision about me making the move," Johnson said. "It has really helped the team so far, and it's really helped me, so it's been a good move."
But when the Sherman, Texas, native came to OSU, he believed he would be a tight end for his entire career.
"It never really crossed my mind," Johnson said. "I just thought I'd be a tight end and split time with Billy, and then my senior season I thought I'd be the man, but I've made the move, and I'm just happy to be playing."
Part of the process of changing positions was more weight had to be added to his frame.
"I gained 15 to 20 pounds, which is not that much," Johnson said. "Coach (Rob) Glass helped me put on ‘good' weight."
Even though he was going through conditioning, Johnson still spent some time in local restaurants.
"I did eat a little bit," Johnson said. "I'm not going to lie. I went out and ate some. But, I still kept it in moderation because I didn't want to be the big, fat lineman."
While he enjoyed catching an average of 13 receptions a season, he said his new position allows him to do pretty much the same thing, but this time as an ineligible receiver.
"Pretty much, the difference between tight end and offensive line is basically, you get to go out for a route every now and then as tight end," Johnson said. "As tight end, you're still responsible for the protection of the quarterback and the running game.
"There's really not that much difference."
While he has made some big adjustments, Johnson said he doesn't believe the Cowboys will have any problems adjusting to a new staff and an abundance of young players.
"I see us doing big things," Johnson said. "Pretty much as long as I've been here, we've been picked to finish near the bottom of the Big 12, so that's not really a big deal to me.
"I'm really looking forward to showing people what we can do. We've got a lot of talent here. This may be the most we've had since I've been here."
Even with all the young talent onboard for the reloading season, coach Mike Gundy is happy he has a veteran like Johnson on the team.
"Charlie is a leader for us," Gundy said. "He plays when he's hurt, and he's very intelligent. He was a reliable tight end for us, but he gained weight to move to tackle, so he can have a chance to play in the NFL someday.
"We'd like to have a lot of guys like Charlie Johnson. He goes to class, he's going to graduate and he's the definition of a good college football player."
While Johnson is planning on a career in the NFL, he does have a backup plan that includes the leadership skills his coach talked about.
"I want to coach, but I'm not sure what level," Johnson said. "If things don't work out in the NFL, then hopefully I could get on here as a graduate assistant or something.
"I really want to coach because it's something I've wanted to do since I started playing."
But someday when Johnson is in charge of his team, don't expect the 6-foot-4-inch coach to be yelling too much.
"I'd probably be a more laid back type of coach," Johnson said. "I'd want stuff to get done, but I want it to be business like. I'm not to vocal, so I'd want things to get done, so we could go home."
