Las Vegas RB working on getting better

Running back Tim Johnson of Las Vegas Del Sol might be the best running back that you've never heard of.

The 6-foot-2, 212-pounder blew up first at the East Los Angeles NIKE Combine, where he ran a 4.5-second time in the 40-yard dash and had the top SPARQ time. He's been timed this summer in the 4.3-second range by his coach and he's easily consistent in the 4.4 range.

On the field, Johnson is one of the elite running backs in Nevada. He's ranked as a three-star player and the No. 4 player overall. But for some reason not a lot of people have covered Johnson and given him the attention he deserves.

That could change soon.

"I have offers from UNLV, Oregon and Arizona said they're offering me," Johnson said. "I really haven't thought a lot about the recruiting process, so I'm going to wait things out a little bit, and see if I can blow up even more. I'd like to continue to get some national programs to take a look at me after a good senior season.

"That's the thought – do well and get more national attention."

Johnson has been working hard in and off the field this summer. He's been taking college extension courses for credit, trying to get ahead even further. He's also been working hard on his football skills.

"I have the track speed," Johnson said. "I'm working on improving my side to side speed and work on my football speed. It's just the little things that I need to work on. I want to be able to average 300 yards every game this year, so I have to keep working hard at getting better at everything."

Johnson said his Del Sol team should pretty good this season, and with a few new offensive threats he might not be the sole focus for defenses.

"We're going to win state," Johnson said. "We've got a lot of good guys coming back. We have two new receivers coming one. We have a new guy from New Mexico that's 6-4 and 200 pounds. It's not going to be a problem bringing in new guys, but I think it's challenge and force us to be better."