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Springboro grad among top punters in nation

Zach Johnson, a senior at Eastern Michigan, is drawing attention for his accuracy

Springboro High School grad and Eastern Michigan University punter Zach Johnson has been among the nation's statistical leaders for two seasons. Contributed photo

handout Springboro High School grad and Eastern Michigan University punter Zach Johnson has been among the nation's statistical leaders for two seasons. Contributed photo

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By Matt Tanksley, Staff Writer Updated 10:55 PM Thursday, November 5, 2009

SPRINGBORO — Zach Johnson sets his goals high, both on and off of the football field.

On the gridiron, you can see it with one of his lofty, spiraling punts that has given him a 40.5 yards per kick career average as he approaches the halfway point of his senior season at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti.

Off the field, the studious Johnson has already earned a bachelor’s degree in business communications in the spring of this year and is currently enrolled in the master’s program in health administration at EMU. He finds the challenge of balancing schoolwork and sport a formidable challenge.

“Time management is the most important thing you have to do,” he said. “Football and conditioning takes an incredible amount of time. But my schoolwork has always taken top priority.”

Zach knows the meaning of hard work. He was a walk-on his freshman year at EMU, but earned a scholarship after his initial season.

“Ohio State, Tennessee and a few other schools also wanted me as a walk-on, but I thought Eastern Michigan gave me the best chance for playing time. I really had to work hard that first year to prove myself to the coaching staff.”

A 2005 graduate of Springboro High School, Zach has earned three letters for EMU and boasts an impressive resume of career punting statistics: 168 punts for 6,608 yards (39.3 average).

Also known for his uncanny accuracy, he has dropped 61 punts inside the 20 to pin the opposition deep inside their own territory. His numbers have him ranked sixth on the EMU career list in total yardage and third in punting average. He has accomplished all of this despite missing almost half of the 2008 season with injuries.

Johnson has also garnered national attention with his punting prowess. He was on the Ray Guy Award watch list, which goes to the nation’s top punter in Division I, in both 2006 and 2007. He was a semifinalist for the award in 2006.

Before the start of this season, Johnson was named a third-team preseason All-American and first-team all Mid-American Conference punter in Phil Steele’s 2009 College Football Preview magazine.

Johnson established himself as an all-around athlete at Springboro. He was named second-team All-Ohio his senior season for his punting and kicking skills. In addition to his football exploits, he was a first-team All-Greater Western Ohio Conference selection in soccer, breaking the Panthers’ single-season scoring record with 29 goals.

In basketball, he was a second-team All-GWOC pick. He has great appreciation for his years in Springboro. After playing soccer since he was 3, he didn’t decide to take up football until his junior year at Springboro.

“First and foremost, my parents (Glen and Karen Johnson) have always supported me no matter what I wanted to do in sports. When I decided to try football my junior year, they were totally supportive.”

He also credits Panther football coach Rodney Roberts.

“Coach Roberts was very supportive and really encouraged me to try out for the team.”

Johnson’s ultimate goal is to get a shot at the NFL.

“Obviously, that’s a goal, but I realize that’s it’s a long shot. Hopefully, I’ll get an opportunity to perform at some (NFL) combines and maybe the Senior Bowl after the season ends.”

If his football career ends after this year at EMU, Johnson is preparing himself now with his pursuit of an advanced degree in health administration.

Based on his academic and football careers to date, he’ll likely be a winner, no matter where his career leads him.

Contact this writer at mtanksley@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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