Demetrus Johnson, a transfer from Minnesota, and Noah Washington, a College of DuPage standout, have both joined the Illinois State football team during the midyear transfer signing period.
A 5-9, 178-pound native of Milwaukee, Wis., Johnson played in wide receiver for the Golden Gophers his freshman season then moved to running back. He is expected to help fill the hole in the Redbird offense after the graduation of all-Gateway Conference back Quincy Washington.
Demetrus had a very successful high school career and was highly recruited out of high school, Illinois State head coach Denver Johnson said. It didnt work out for him at Minnesota. He started there playing receiver and he wanted very much to be a tailback. He saw the opportunity to play here and has joined our team.
He has chance to bring some real athletic ability and skills to our tailback position, Johnson added. His speed and playmaking ability are certainly a welcome and productive addition to our football team.
Johnson redshirted out of high school and participated in 2001 and 2002 for the Golden Gophers. As a freshman, he played in the final 10 games of the season as a backup wide receiver and special teams player. He caught three passes on the season and snagged a two-point conversion pass in the fourth quarter against Iowa.
In 2002, his sophomore season, Johnson participated in 10 games, netting 55 yards for the year. He averaged 5.5 yards per game and on special teams the same year, ran back three kickoffs for 56 yards, including a 31-yarder.
The Homestead High School graduate was named Wisconsin Player of the Year in 1999 by the Wisconsin State Coaches Association and was a two-time all-state selection. His senior season, he compiled 2,229 yards rushing and 32 touchdowns. He plans are majoring in Economics.
Washington, a 6-4, 344-pound native of LaGrange, Ill., was a NJCAA all-America selection at the College of DuPage. The proposed Spanish major will be looked to add depth to the Redbird offensive line.
Noah finished up playing at College of DuPage and actually, 2001 was his last season to play, Coach Johnson said. He finished up his degree this past fall, which made him eligible to transfer to a four-year school. We got film on him and he was a big, thick, physical guy thats fairly mobile. He adds size and strength to the offensive line.
We felt like he was a guy who could come here midyear and after losing our core offensive line in Aaron Peterson and Kevin Keenan, he has a good opportunity to compete for a position in spring ball.
Both Johnson and Washington will be juniors next season two years of eligibility.
