Why Quentin Johnston is primed for sophomore ‘launch’ with Chargers

Based on Johnston’s play as a rookie, that is quite an ambitious assertion. Johnston was the team’s first-round draft pick out of TCU and the 21st selection overall in 2023. He caught just 38 passes for 431 yards and 2 touchdowns while starting 10 games and playing in all 17. However, he is likely to get a chance to show he’s a star under Harbaugh.

Johnston had a huge game against Harbaugh’s Wolverines at the end of the 2022 season when TCU beat Michigan in the College Football Playoff. Johnston torched the Michigan defense as he caught 6 passes for 163 yards and 2 touchdowns in that TCU upset of the Wolverines. He caught 60 passes for 1,069 yards and 6 touchdowns for the season.

Johnston is 6-4 and 215 pounds with excellent run after the catch ability.

Chargers general manager believes in Johnston

Los Angeles general manager Joe Hortiz has great faith in Johnston. He scouted Johnston when he was with the Baltimore Ravens before getting hired by the Chargers, and he had a favorable impression of the TCU star.

“Quentin was a player we liked in Baltimore as well last year — a player that I liked,” Hortiz said on the Up and Adams show. “When you look at him, when he was coming out of college, he was an elite size/speed athlete. And you saw some rawness to his game, but you also saw the ability, for as big as he is, (6-3), I think, and 220 pounds, you watch him drop his weight, getting in and out of breaks, come to balance at the top of the route, get out quickly. He can do some rare things for a player his size.

Hortiz also confirmed that Harbaugh has a strong impression of Johnston.

“Jim (Harbaugh) was on the other sideline in one of his better games (in college), and so we’ve all seen it. We believe in it. He’s a great kid, he’s a great worker. Everyone here has a high opinion of him. I believe he’s really going to launch.”

The other factor that could help Johnston have an impressive season is a return to full health of quarterback Justin Herbert. The strong-armed quarterback had a broken finger last year and he was limited to 13 games last season.

If Herbert is healthy and strong for all 13 games, there is an excellent chance he can build a strong working relationship with Quentin Johnston.