KeeSean Johnson: Precise patterns part of Roughriders receiver’s path to the pros
An ability to run geometric pass patterns was an important aspect of KeeSean Johnson’s route to professional football.
He was, according to former Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury, one of the top two route-runners in the NFL Draft class of 2019.
“I remember him bringing me in and actually telling me that and giving me that grace,” recalled Johnson, a second-year Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver who was drafted by Arizona in the sixth round (174th overall).
“As a player, that’s something you look forward to, because of all the hard work you put in during the off-season and while training.
“It’s a blessing, but that’s in the past. We’ve got to keep going now.”
With the Cardinals, Johnson wore No. 19 — signifying the 19 receivers who were drafted before him in, coincidentally enough, ’19.
But the number closest to his heart is 3, which was his trademark as a record-setting collegian.
Over four full seasons (2015 to 2018) at Fresno State University, Johnson became the Bulldogs’ All-Time leader in catches (275) and receiving yards (3,463).
In both categories, he surpassed Davante Adams, who has since amassed 957 receptions for 11,844 yards and 103 touchdowns as an NFLer.
“We come from the same hometown and grew up as great friends, family friends,” said Johnson, who is from Palo Alto, Calif. “He has been a mentor.
“Going to Fresno State, he wanted me to have the success he had. We just tried to keep the tradition going.”
Part of the tradition is the presence of Joey Boese, who works with the Bulldogs’ players from a strength and conditioning standpoint.
“He was a big part of me even going to Fresno,” said the 6-foot-1, 201-pound Johnson, who weighed in at 173 as a graduating high school player.
“What he did with Davante was change his body. I just put a lot of work in with him.
“The guys who he knew had something, he wanted them to go to work and he pushed them. He pushes them to the extreme and you get what you get. You get what you put in.”
Johnson made an auspicious debut, being targeted 10 times and catching five passes for 45 yards against the Detroit Lions in the Cardinals’ 2019 season opener.
In 10 games (including four starts) as an NFL rookie, he caught 21 passes for 187 yards and one TD. He added 15 receptions for 173 yards in eight games the following year.
Johnson subsequently spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles (2021), San Francisco 49ers (2022), Atlanta Falcons (2022) and Buffalo Bills (2022 and 2023) before signing with Saskatchewan on Feb. 28th, 2024.
He caught 56 passes for 746 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games as a first-year Roughrider. A four-game TD-catch streak highlighted his introductory CFL season.
“He had quite a good finish to the season,” Offensive Co-ordinator Marc Mueller said. “We’re hoping, and so is he, that he continues to grow on that and be the impact player that he can be and wants to be.”
The impact was noted on Thursday, when the Roughriders opened the CFL’s 2025 regular season with a 31-26 victory over the Ottawa REDBLACKS at Mosaic Stadium.
Johnson caught four passes for 68 yards. Most notably, he collaborated with Trevor Harris on back-to-back plays for advances of 38 (on second-and-17) and 23 to tee up Thomas Bertrand-Hudon’s 14-yard TD reception.
With a precise diagnostician such as Harris behind centre, the Roughriders require receivers who have a command of the finest details. Here, once again, the reliable route-running comes in handy.
“It’s about timing,” said Johnson, 28. “Being at quarterback, he’s trusting you to be in the position that you’re in at the time you need to be. That’s something I take pride in and work hard for, day in and day out.”
Johnson and the Roughriders are to return to action on Saturday, 5 p.m., against the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Ontario swing continues on June 20th when Saskatchewan faces the Toronto Argonauts.
The Roughriders’ next home game is June 28th, 5 p.m., against the B.C. Lions.
